The word "occult" is a bit tricky when it comes to spelling. It's pronounced /əˈkʌlt/ (uh-KUHlt) and has two Cs and one L that can easily trip one up. The first C is followed by a vowel, so it's pronounced as "kuh" not "ss." The second C is followed by a consonant, so it's pronounced as "kuh" again. The L is pronounced as you would expect, as "lt." In terms of meaning, the word refers to mysterious or supernatural phenomena that can't be explained by science.
Occult refers to something that is hidden or concealed from view, knowledge, or common understanding. The term is often associated with secret or esoteric practices, beliefs, and phenomena that involve supernatural or mystical aspects beyond the realm of ordinary experience or comprehension.
In its broadest sense, occult can encompass a wide range of subjects including astrology, divination, alchemy, magic, and spiritual practices that involve communication with spirits, demons, or deities. Occult also encompasses religious and philosophical traditions that center around alternative systems of knowledge and wisdom, often emphasizing the interconnectedness of the physical and spiritual realms.
The word occult is derived from the Latin word "occultus," meaning "hidden" or "concealed." It is important to note that the term does not necessarily imply malevolent or sinister intentions, although in popular culture, occult is often associated with dark or maleficent practices.
Scholars and practitioners of the occult often explore and investigate hidden or lesser-known dimensions of reality through various means, such as rituals, symbolism, meditation, or the use of divinatory tools. While some view the occult as a means for personal growth, spiritual enlightenment, or self-discovery, others may view it with skepticism or fear due to its associations with the unknown and mysterious.
Hidden, concealed; noting a concealed hemorrhage, or blood so changed as not to be readily recognized.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Concealed; secret; hidden from the eye or understanding; unknown; undiscoverable.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word occult has Latin roots. It originates from the Latin word occultus, which means hidden or secret. In turn, occultus is derived from the verb occulere, meaning to cover up or to hide.