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In ancient Greek occurs chiefly in the plural, denoting certain secret religious [[ritual|ceremonies]] (the most famous being those of [[Demeter]] at [[Eleusis]]) which were allowed to be witnessed only by the initiated, who were sworn never to disclose their [[nature]] (see sense 7a). In the [[Septuagint]] the word occurs only in [[Book of Daniel|Daniel]] and the [[Apocrypha]], where it has the sense of ‘secret purpose or counsel’ (especially of a king or of [[God]]). This sense is found in the [[New Testament]], where the word also means either a religious [[truth]] long kept secret, but now [[revelation|revealed]] through Christ to his Church, or something of [[symbol]]ic significance. In later Christian use became equivalent to SACRAMENT n. (in several passages, e.g. Daniel 2:18, the Vulgate renders it by sacramentum, even when it means only ‘secret’; in other passages mysterium is used). In Old French and [[English]] the Christian senses of the [[word]] appear earliest.
In ancient Greek occurs chiefly in the plural, denoting certain secret religious ceremonies (the most famous being those of Demeter at Eleusis) which were allowed to be witnessed only by the initiated, who were sworn never to disclose their nature (see sense 7a). In the Septuagint the word occurs only in Daniel and the [[Apocrypha]], where it has the sense of ‘secret purpose or counsel’ (especially of a king or of God). This sense is found in the [[New Testament]], where the word also means either a religious [[truth]] long kept secret, but now revealed through Christ to his Church, or something of symbolic significance. In later Christian use became equivalent to SACRAMENT n. (in several passages, e.g. Daniel 2:18, the Vulgate renders it by sacramentum, even when it means only ‘secret’; in other passages mysterium is used). In Old French and English the Christian senses of the word appear earliest.
In post-classical Latin (from Vetus Latina) the form misterium occurs with the sense ‘ecclesiastical service’ more usually associated with ministerium MINISTRY n. Confusion between mysterium and ministerium in post-classical Latin is not surprising, given the phonetic and semantic similarity between the two words. The distinction between 3 and MYSTERY n.2 1a, and the distinction between 10 and MYSTERY n.2 2, can only be arbitrary from an etymological point of view.
In post-classical [[Latin]] (from Vetus Latina) the form misterium occurs with the sense ‘ecclesiastical service’ more usually associated with ministerium MINISTRY n. Confusion between mysterium and ministerium in post-classical Latin is not surprising, given the phonetic and semantic similarity between the two [[words]]. The distinction between 3 and MYSTERY n.2 1a, and the distinction between 10 and MYSTERY n.2 2, can only be [[arbitrary]] from an etymological point of view.
In sense 9 after Middle French mistere (1402 in this sense), post-classical Latin mysterium passion play (1521 in Du Cange). It is uncertain whether this sense is at all influenced by or connected with MYSTERY n.2 (with reference to the trades of the performers); compare earlier MIRACLE n. in the same sense in French and English. Dict. Older Sc. Tongue also records the form myster, explaining this as a probable back-formation from the Scots plural form mysteris (see e.g. quot. 1588 at SIC-LIKE adj.).]
==Definitions==
==Definitions==
I. Theological uses.
I. Theological uses.
