mystic
mystic — noun
1. a person who seeks a direct, personal experience of God or ultimate reality thro
a person who seeks a direct, personal experience of God or ultimate reality through deep prayer, meditation, or contemplation, rather than through formal religious teachings alone
The medieval mystic spent thirty years living alone in a small stone hut.
noun phrase: medieval mystic
Mateo described his journey as a mystic searching for truth beyond everyday life.
Nadia read the writings of Christian mystics from the sixteenth century.
The library kept old poems written by Sufi mystics from Iran and Turkey.
Saira met a mystic who taught her how to meditate in complete silence.
- seeker
broader term for anyone searching for spiritual truth, not necessarily through direct divine experience
- contemplative
focuses on the method (prayer/meditation) rather than the goal of divine union
- visionary
emphasizes seeing visions or receiving revelations; can be used for non-religious insights too
文法句型
modifier + mystic
mystic + relative clause
用法筆記
Frequently appears with a religious tradition as a modifier: 'Christian mystic', 'Sufi mystic', 'Hindu mystic'. The defining characteristic is a direct, personal encounter with the divine — not just belief or study.
常見錯誤
mystic — adjective
1. relating to secret or hidden magical forces, especially those of a dark, mysteri
relating to secret or hidden magical forces, especially those of a dark, mysterious, or supernatural kind that are not understood by ordinary people
The old woman was known for her mystic powers and strange midnight rituals.
collocation: mystic powers
Tariq found a book of mystic symbols inside an ancient wooden chest.
collocation: mystic symbols
The villagers believed the forest had mystic qualities that could heal the sick.
Élise read stories about mystic ceremonies held in underground temples.
A mystic fog covered the valley, making everything look strange and unreal.
- occult
more formal and often implies forbidden or hidden knowledge; stronger connection to secret rites
- magical
more direct about supernatural power; less formal and less likely to carry a dark tone
- mysterious
much broader; simply means hard to understand or explain, without the magic component
- ordinary
lacking any supernatural or magical quality
文法句型
mystic + noun (power, symbol, ceremony)
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 2 (SPIRITUAL MEANING): this sense involves SECRET or SUPERNATURAL forces — powers, symbols, rituals — whereas sense 2 involves divine connection and spiritual insight. This sense can carry a slightly dark or eerie tone.
常見錯誤
2. based on the conviction that a deeper spiritual reality lies behind everyday lif
based on the conviction that a deeper spiritual reality lies behind everyday life, and that a person can achieve direct union with God through personal contemplation
She had a mystic experience during her meditation retreat in the mountains.
collocation: mystic experience
The poet wrote about the mystic unity of all living creatures on Earth.
Jude felt a deep mystic connection with nature while walking in the forest.
Many religious traditions include a mystic path that goes beyond ordinary worship.
Asher described his time in the monastery as a mystic search for inner peace.
- mystical
the more common adjective form; can almost always replace 'mystic' in this sense, and sometimes adds a tone of wonder
- spiritual
broader — covers any connection to the soul or inner life, not just direct divine contact
- transcendental
more formal and philosophical; emphasizes going beyond ordinary human experience
文法句型
mystic + noun (experience, vision, union)
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1 (MAGIC POWERS): this sense involves DIVINE or SPIRITUAL connection — experience, union, vision — rather than secret or supernatural forces. The noun modified is typically related to religious or meditative practice, not to magic.