mystery

/ˈmi-st(ə-)rē/

Middle English mysterie "hidden religious truth, rite or event with religious significance, hidden meaning," borrowed from Anglo-French & Late Latin; Anglo-French misterie, borrowed from Late Latin mystērium "hidden religious truth revealed by God, religious rite, Eucharist," going back to Latin (in plural mystēria), "secret religious rites, things not to be divulged," borrowed from Greek mystḗrion, plural mystḗria "religious rite to which only initiates may be admitted, secret" (in the New Testament, "religious truth revealed by God"), from mys-, base of mýstēs "person initiated (into a religious cult)" + -tērion, suffix in words denoting instruments, place and ceremonies (derivative of -tēr, agent suffix)

noun

  1. something not understood or beyond understanding : enigma

  2. a piece of fiction dealing usually with the solution of a mysterious crime

  3. the secret or specialized practices or ritual peculiar to an occupation or a body of people

The mystery of his disappearance has never been solved.

Reading mysteries was her favorite pastime.

mystery problem enigma riddle puzzle mean something which baffles or perplexes. mystery applies to what cannot be fully understood by reason or less strictly to whatever resists or defies explanation. problem applies to a question or difficulty calling for a solution or causing concern.

noun

  1. trade, craft

  2. a body of persons engaged in a particular trade, business, or profession : guild

noun

  1. a medieval drama based on scriptural incidents (such as the creation of the world, the Flood, or the life, death, and resurrection of Christ)