2 entries found for
mystery.
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Main Entry:
mys·tery 
Pronunciation:
mis-t(
-)r
Function:
noun
Inflected Form(s):
plural -ter·ies
1 a : a religious truth that cannot be fully understood
b : any of the 15 events (as the Nativity, the Crucifixion, or the Assumption) which serve as subjects for meditation by Roman Catholics as they say the rosary
2 a : something that has not been or cannot be explained <where they went is a
mystery>
b : a deep secret <kept their plans a
mystery>
3 : a work of fiction dealing with the solution of a mysterious crime
synonyms MYSTERY,
ENIGMA,
PUZZLE mean something which is hard to understand or explain.
MYSTERY applies to what cannot be fully understood by human reason or easily explained <the
mystery surrounding the building of those ancient temples>.
ENIGMA applies to words or actions very difficult to interpret correctly <what she meant by her last remark is an
enigma>.
PUZZLE applies to a tricky problem that challenges one to provide a solution <it's a
puzzle who took the chairs from the room and why>.