occult

[uh-kuhlt, ok-uhlt] /əˈkʌlt, ˈɒk ʌlt/
adjective
1.
of or pertaining to magic, astrology, or any system claiming use or knowledge of secret or supernatural powers or agencies.
2.
beyond the range of ordinary knowledge or understanding; mysterious.
3.
secret; disclosed or communicated only to the initiated.
4.
hidden from view.
5.
  1. not apparent on mere inspection but discoverable by experimentation.
  2. of a nature not understood, as physical qualities.
  3. dealing with such qualities; experimental:
    occult science.
6.
Medicine/Medical. present in amounts too small to be visible:
a chemical test to detect occult blood in the stool.
noun
7.
the supernatural or supernatural agencies and affairs considered as a whole (usually preceded by the).
8.
occult studies or sciences (usually preceded by the).
verb (used with object)
9.
to block or shut off (an object) from view; hide.
10.
Astronomy. to hide (a celestial body) by occultation.
verb (used without object)
11.
to become hidden or shut off from view.
Origin
1520-30; < Latin occultus (past participle of occulere to hide from view, cover up), equivalent to oc- oc- + -cul-, akin to cēlāre to conceal + -tus past participle suffix
Related forms
occulter, noun
occultly, adverb
occultness, noun
nonoccult, adjective
nonocculting, adjective
Synonyms
2. metaphysical, supernatural. 3. concealed, unrevealed; veiled, shrouded; mystical, cabalistic.
Examples from the web for occult
  • Predicting sales is an occult art, with its dual risks of unmet surges in demand and huge write-offs and remainders.
  • It is the same with all that the animals produce by this occult impulse.
  • And the occult was to remain a controlling, energizing obsession throughout his life.
  • Gastrointestinal hemorrhage and occult gastrointestinal bleeding.
  • In occult circles, distinctions are sometimes made between crows and ravens.
British Dictionary definitions for occult

occult

adjective (ɒˈkʌlt; ˈɒkʌlt)
1.
  1. of or characteristic of magical, mystical, or supernatural arts, phenomena, or influences
  2. (as noun): the occult
2.
beyond ordinary human understanding
3.
secret or esoteric
verb (ɒˈkʌlt)
4.
(astronomy) (of a celestial body) to hide (another celestial body) from view by occultation or (of a celestial body) to become hidden by occultation
5.
to hide or become hidden or shut off from view
6.
(intransitive) (of lights, esp in lighthouses) to shut off at regular intervals
Derived Forms
occultly, adverb
occultness, noun
Word Origin
C16: from Latin occultus, past participle of occulere, from ob- over, up + -culere, related to celāre to conceal
Word Origin and History for occult
adj.

1530s, "secret, not divulged," from Middle French occulte and directly from Latin occultus "hidden, concealed, secret," past participle of occulere "cover over, conceal," from ob "over" (see ob-) + a verb related to celare "to hide," from PIE root *kel- "to hide" (see cell). Meaning "not apprehended by the mind, beyond the range of understanding" is from 1540s. The association with the supernatural sciences (magic, alchemy, astrology, etc.) dates from 1630s.

occult in Medicine

occult oc·cult (ə-kŭlt', ŏk'ŭlt')
adj.

  1. Hidden; concealed.

  2. Detectable only by microscopic examination or chemical analysis.

  3. Not accompanied by readily detectable signs or symptoms.