myself 
The fact Is, I was a trifle beside myself or rather, out of 
in (/(/'. as the French would say. 
Charlotte Bronte, Jane Eyre, 11. 
myselvent, /"' A Middle English variant of 
) l/XClf. 
Mysidae (mis'i-de), n.pl. [NL., < Mysis + -itlii:] 
A family of schizopod podophtlialmic crusta- 
ceans, typified by the genus Mysis; the opos- 
sum-shrimps. The abdominal region is long, jointed, 
and ended by caudal swimmerets ; there are six pairs of 
ambulatory thoracic limbs, to which the external gills are 
attached, and which also function us a kind of brood-pouch 
in which the eggs are can-led about, whence the vernacu- 
lar name. 
Mysis (mi'sis), . [NL., < Gr. piiait, a closing 
the lips or eyes, < fi'veiv, close, as the lips or 
eyes.] The typical genus of Mysidce, founded 
by Latreille in 1802. M. chameleon is a com- 
mon species of the North Atlantic. See opos- 
sum-shrimp. 
mysophobia (mi-so-fo'bi-a), n. [NL., < Gr. /'- 
o-of, uncleanness, '+ <t>6j3o, flight, panic, fear.] 
A morbid fear of contamination, as of soiling 
one's hands by touching anything. 
mystacial (mis-ta'si-al), a. [< mystax (mystac-) 
+ -ial.J Same as m'itstachial. 
Mystacina (mis-ta-si'na), n. [NL., < Gr. jUt'oraf, 
the upper lip, the beard upon it (see mystax), 
+ -MMI*.] A genus of molossoid emballonurine 
bats. The tail perforates the interf emoral membrane and 
lies upon its upper surface ; the middle finger has three 
phalanges ; the wing membrane has a thickened leathery 
edge ; the soles of the feet are expansive and somewhat 
sucker-like ; and the pollex and hallux have each a supple- 
mentary claw. The single species, N. tuberculata, is con- 
fined to New Zealand, composing with Chalinolobus the 
whole indigenous mammalian fauna. The peculiarities 
of the genus cause it to be made by some authors the type 
of a subfamily Mystaeince. 
Mystacinae (mis-ta-si'ne), n. pi. [NL., pi. of 
Mystacina."] A group of molossine Emballonu- 
ridce, represented by the genus Mystacina. 
mystacine (mis'ta-sin), a. Having the charac- 
ters of Mystacina; pertaining to the Mystacina;. 
mystagogic (mis-ta-goj'ik), a. [< mystagog-ue + 
-ic.~\ Having the character of. relating to, or 
connected with a inystagogue or mystagogy; 
pertaining to the interpretation of mysteries. 
Jer. Taylor, Rules of Conscience, iii. 4. 
mystagogical (mis-ta-goj'i-kal), a. [< mysta- 
gogic + -al.] Same as mystagogic. 
mystagogue(mis'ta-gog), n. [<T.mystagoguc= 
Sp. mistagogo = Pg. mi/stagogo = It. mistagogo, 
< L. mystagogus, < Gr. faxmtjVf^tt one introdu- 
cing into mysteries, < /IVOTW, one initiated (see 
mystery 1 ), + ayeiv, lead (> &yoy6s, a leader).] 1. 
One who instructs in or interprets mysteries; 
one who initiates. 2. Specifically, in the ear- 
ly church, the priest who prepared candidates 
for initiation into the sacred mysteries. Smith, 
Diet. Christ. Antiq. 3f. One who keeps church 
relics and shows them to strangers. Bailey. 
mystagogus (mis-ta-go'gus), n.; pi. mystagogi 
(-JI). [L. : see mystagogue.] Same as mysta- 
gogue. 
That true interpreter and great mystagogus, the Spirit 
of God. Dr. U. More. 
mystagogy (mis'ta-gp-ji), n. [< F. mystagogie, 
< Gr. /ivarayuyia, initiation into mysteries, < 
fivarayuyof, one who introduces into mysteries : 
see mystagogue.] 1. The principles, practice, or 
doctrines of a mystagogue ; the interpretation 
of mysteries. 2. In the Gr. Ch., the sacraments. 
mystax (mis'taks), n. [NL., < Gr. /it'oraf, the 
upper lip, a mustache : see mustache.] In en- 
tom., a brush of stiff hairs on the lower part of 
the face, immediately over the mouth-cavity ; 
it is conspicuous in certain Diptera, especially 
of the family Asilidce. 
mystert, n. See mister^. 
mysterial (mis-te'ri-al), a. [< OF. misterial = 
It. misteriale, < ML. misterialis, mysterialis (LL. 
in adv. myslerialiter), mysterious, pertaining to 
a mystery, < L. mysterium, a mystery: see mys- 
terjl.] Containing a mystery or an enigma. 
Beauty and Love, whose story is mysterial. 
B. Jonson, Love's Triumph. 
mysteriarcb. (mis-te'ri-Srk), . [< LL. myste- 
riarches, < Gr. fivaT!;pidpx>K, one who presides 
over mysteries, < /ivaTypiov, mystery (see mys- 
tery 1 ), + apxof, chief, < ap%etv, rule.] One who 
presides over mysteries. 
mysterious (mis-te'ri-us), a. [Formerly also 
misterious; = F. mysterieux = Sp. misterioso = 
Pg. mysterioso = It. misterioso, full of mystery, 
< L. mysterium, mystery: see mystery!.] I. 
Partaking of or containing mystery ; obscure ; 
not revealed or explained ; unintelligible. 
By a silent, unseen, mysterious process, the fairest flower 
of the garden springs from a small insignificant seed. 
Bp. Home, Works, IV. xxix. 
3924 
God moves in a mysterious way 
His wonders to perform ; 
He plants his footsteps in the sea 
And rides upon the storm. 
Cmvper, Light Shining out of Darkness. 
2. Expressing, intimating, or implying a mys- 
tery: as, a mysterious look; his manner was 
very mysterious and important. =Syn. Mysterious, 
Mystic, Cabalistic, dark, occult, enigmatical, incompre- 
hensible, inscrutable. Mysterious is the most common 
word for that which is unknown and excites curiosity and 
perhaps awe ; the word is sometimes used where mystic 
would be more precise. Mystic is especially used of that 
which has been designed to excite and baffle curiosity, 
involving meanings in signs, rites, etc., but not with suffi- 
cient plainness to be understood by any but the initiated. 
Mystic is used poetically for mysterious; it may imply the 
power of prophesying. The meaning of cabalistic is shaped 
by the facts of the Jewish Cabala. The word is therefore 
applicable especially to occult meanings attributed to writ- 
ten signs. 
mysteriously (mis-te'ri-us-li), adv. In a mys- 
terious manner; by way of expressing or im- 
plying a mystery ; obscurely : as, he shook his 
head mysteriously. 
mysteriousness (mis-te'ri-us-ues), n. 1. The 
quality of being mysterious; obscurity; the 
quality of being hidden from the understanding 
and calculated to excite curiosity or wonder. 
2. That which is mysterious or obscure. Jer. 
Taylor. 3. The behavior or manner of one 
who wishes or affects to imply a mystery: as, he 
told us with vmcbmysteriousnessto wait and see. 
mysterizet (mis'te-riz), v. t. [< myster-y + -ize.] 
To interpret mystically. 
The Cabalists, . . . mysterizing their ensigns, do make 
the particular ones of the twelve tribes accommodable 
unto the twelve signs in the zodiack, and twelve months 
in the year. Sir T. Browne, Vulg. Err., v. 10. 
mystery 1 (mis'te-ri), n.; pi. mysteries (-riz). 
[Formerly also mistery; < ME. mysterie = F. 
mystere = Sp. misterio = Pg. mysterio = It. mis- 
terio, < L. mysterium, < Gr. [ivorr/pim, secret doc- 
trine or rite, mystery, < /ivarrie, one initiated, < 
ftvc'tv, initiate into the mysteries, teach, instruct, 
< jivnv, close the lips or eyes, < uv, a slight sound 
with closed lips.] 1. pi. In ancient religions, 
rites known to and practised by certain initi- 
ated persons only, consisting of purifications, 
sacrificial offerings, processions, songs, dances, 
dramatic performances, and the like : as, the 
Eleusinian mysteries. Hence 2. (a) In the 
Christian Church, especially in the early church 
and in the Greek Church, a sacrament. This name 
originally had reference partly to the nature of a sacrament 
itself as concealing a spiritual reality under external form 
and matter, and partly to the fact that no catechumen was 
instructed in the doctrine of the sacraments (except par- 
tially as to baptism) or admitted to be present at their 
administration except through baptism as an initiation. 
(6) pi. The consecrated elements in the eucha- 
rist; in the singular, the eucharist. 
My duty is to exhort you ... to consider the dignity 
of that holy mystery [the Holy Sacrament), and the great 
peril of the unworthy receiving thereof. 
Book of Common Prayer, Communion Office, First 
[Exhortation. 
(c) Any religious doctrine or body of doctrines 
that seems above human comprehension. 
They counte as Fables the holie misteries of Christian 
Religion. Ascham, The Scholemaster, p. 82. 
Great is the mystery of godliness. 1 Tim. iii. 16. 
3. In general, a fact, matter, or phenomenon 
of which the meaning, explanation, or cause is 
not known, and which awakens curiosity or in- 
spires awe; something that is inexplicable; an 
enigmatic secret. 
'Twas you incensed the rabble : 
Cats, that can judge as fitly of his worth 
As I can of those mysteries which heaven 
Will not have earth to know. Shak., Cor., iv. 2. 35. 
Over whose actions the hypocrisy of his youth, and the 
seclusion of his old age, threw a singular mystery. 
Macaulay, History. 
Mystery does indeed imply ignorance, and in the re- 
moval of both the principle of curiosity is involved ; but 
there may be ignorance without mystery. 
Mark Hopkins, Essays, p. 10. 
4. A form of dramatic composition much in 
vogue in the middle ages, and still played in 
some parts of Europe in a modified form, the 
characters and events of which were drawn from 
sacred history. 
Properly speaking, Mysteries deal with Gospel events 
only, their object being primarily to set forth, by an illus- 
tration of the prophetic history of the Old Testament, and 
more particularly of the fulfilling history of the New, the 
central mystery of the Redemption of the world, as accom- 
plished by the Nativity, the Passion, and the Resurrection. 
A. W. Ward, Eng. Dram. Lit., I. 23. 
mystery' 2 t (mis'te-ri), n. ; pi. mysteries (-riz). 
[Commonly confused with mystery^, to which it 
has been accom. in spelling; prop, mistery, < 
ME. misterie, mysterie, for mister, mistere, mys- 
mysticism 
ter, mcstcr, etc., a trade, craft, etc., ult. < L. 
ministerimn, office, occupation: see mister'*.] 
Occxipation; trade; office; profession; calling; 
art; craft. 
Preestes been aungeles, as by the dignitee of hir mys- 
terye. Chaucer, Parson's Tale. 
Gouernour of the mysterie and companie of the Mar- 
chants aduenturers for the discouerie of Regions. 
llakluyt's Voyages, I. 2U6. 
'Tis in the malice of mankind that he thus advises us 
|to stealj ; not to have us [thieves] thrive in our mystery. 
Shak., T. of A., iv. 3. 456. 
mystic (mis'tik), a. and .. [Formerly also mis- 
tick, mystick; < F. mystique = Sp. mistico = Pg. 
mystico = It. mistico,<. L. mysticus,< Gr. uvariKof, 
secret, mystic, < /ivoryc., one who is initiated : see 
mystery 1 ?] I. a. 1. Pertaining to any of the 
ancient mysteries. 
The ceremonial law, with all its mystic rites, ... to 
many, that bestow the reading on it, seems scarce worth 
it ; yet what use the apostles riade of it with the Jews ! 
Boyle, Works, II. 278. 
2. Hidden from or obscure to human know- 
ledge or comprehension ; pertaining to what is 
obscure or incomprehensible; mysterious; dark ; 
obscure; specifically, expressing a sense com- 
prehensible only to a higher grade of intelli- 
gence or to those especially initiated. 
And ye five other wandering fires, that move 
In mystic dance not without song, resound 
His praise. MUtcm, P. L., v. 178. 
3. Of or pertaining to mystics or mysticism. 
No mystic dreams of ascetic piety had come to trouble 
the tranquillity of its humanistic devotion. J. Caird. 
4. In the civil law of Louisiana, sealed or 
closed: as, a mystic testament Mystic hexa- 
gram. See hexagram, 2. Mystic recitation, the reci- 
tation of those parts of the Greek liturgy which are ordered 
to be said in a low or inaudible voice, like the secreto of the 
Western offices : opposed to the ecphoneses (see ecphone- 
sis, 2). = Syn, 2 and 3. Cabalistic, etc. See mysterious. 
II. n. One who accepts or preaches some 
form of mysticism; specifically [cap.], one who 
holds to the possibility of direct conscious and 
unmistakable intercourse with God by a species 
of ecstasy. See Quietist, Pietist, Gichtelian. 
mystical (mis'ti-kal), a. [< mystic + -al.~\ Same 
as mystic. 
Almighty God, who hast knit together thine elect in 
one communion and fellowship in the mystical body of 
thy Son. 
Booh of Common Prayer, Collect for All Saints' Day. 
The mystical Pythagoras, and the allegorizing Plato. 
7. D'Jsraeli, Amen, of Lit., II. 399. 
'Tis the sunset of life gives me mystical lore, 
And coming events cast their shadows before. 
Campbell, Lochiel's Warning. 
Mystical body of the church. See body. Mystical 
fan. See fabeUum. Mystical sense of Scripture, a 
sense to be apprehended only by spiritual experience. 
Mystical theology, the knowledge of God or of divine 
things, derived not from observation or from argument, 
but wholly from spiritual experience, and not discrimi- 
nated or tested by the reason. 
mystically (mis'ti-kal-i), adv. In a mystic 
manner, or by an act implying a secret mean- 
ing; in Greek liturgies, in a low or inaudible 
voice; secretly. See mystic recitation, under 
mystic. 
mysticalness (mis'ti-kal-nes), n. The quality 
of being mystical. Bailey, 1727. 
Mysticete (mis-ti-se'te), n.pl. [NL., irreg. for 
"mystacocete, < Gr. /rforaf, the upper lip (see 
mustache), + nfjTos, pi. K^TI?, a whale: see Cete3.~\ 
A suborder of Cete or Cetaeea, having no teeth 
developed, the upper jaw being provided with 
baleen plates ; the balsenoid whales or whale- 
bone-whales: opposed to Denticete. The supra- 
maxillary bone is produced outward in front of the orbits, 
the rami of the lower jaw remain separate, the nasal bones 
project forward, and the olfactory organs are well devel- 
oped. There are two families, BalOfnopteridas and Balce- 
nidce. See cut under Balcenidce. 
mysticete (mis'ti-set), a. [< NL. Mysticete,] 
Having baleen instead of teeth in the upper 
jaw; belonging to the Mysticete. 
mysticism (mis'ti-sizm), n. [= F. mysticisms 
= Sp. misticismo = Pg. mysticimiio = It. misti- 
cismo; as mystic + -ism.] 1. The character of 
being mystic or mystical; mysticalness. 2. 
Any mode of thought, or phase of intellectual or 
religious life, in which reliance is placed upon 
a spiritual illumination believed to transcend 
the ordinary powers of the understanding. 
The lofty mysticism of his [Plato's] philosophy. 
D. Stewart, Philos. Essays, ii. 5. 
Mysticism Is a phase of thought, or rather perhaps of 
feeling, which from its very nature is hardly susceptible of 
exact definition. It appears in connection with the en- 
deavor of the human mind to grasp the divine essence or 
the ultimate reality of things, and to enjoy the blessed- 
ness of actual communication with the Highest. 
Encyc. Brit., XVII. 128. 
