mysticism 
3. Spccilieally. ;i I'm in of religious lie lief which is 
fouui lr<i upon spiritual experience, not discrim- 
inateil or lesleil iiml systemati/.cil in thought. 
M i/<tt>-;xtii :inil rii'"'""'"'" lepteseat opposite poles of 
th>-M[,i-_<\ rationalism rt'^:u ilinu' the reason as the highest 
furillly i 'f IM;UI ami Ihr ,,,!, arbiter in ill matters of rell- 
i-.ii, .l.ntriiie; myslieism, mi the othe.r hand, dcrlaring 
i h.tt spiritual truth eauliot lie apprehended by the logical 
(acuity. nor adequately expressed in terms of the unilei- 
.stainliiij/. 
mystick't, " anil . An obsolete spelling of 
ttt Ifsttf. 
mystick- (mis'tik), . Hame as migtieo. 
Two or three picturesque harks, called myiticJn, with 
long latine sails, were glming down It. 
Col. Intng, A Visit to Palos. 
mystification (mis'ti-fi-ka'shon), a. [= V. mi/.t- 
tijil-ll/illll = I'o;. Hiynl(lictli;iili;a.Hiy/li(l'y + -lltiilH. I 
1. The act of mystifying; something designed 
to mystify; the act of perplexing one or playing 
on one's credulity; a trick. 
It was impossible to say where jest began and earnest 
riiili'il. You read in constant mistrust lest you might be 
the victim of a myntijicatian when you least expected one. 
Edinburgh Rev. 
2. The state of being mystified. 
mystiflcator (mis'ti-fi-ka-tor), . [< mystify, af- 
ter F. tyxt(ii<-ittritr.] One who mystifies. 
mystify (mtt'ti-fl). t>. t.; pret.andpp. mystified, 
ppr. iHijxtifii'ui<i. [< F. mystijier = Pg. iuyxt(ii- 
I'nr, irreg. < Gr. [ivoTi/<6f, mystic, + L. -fic<tre, < 
,l'nci ;<, make: sec -/>/.] To perplex purposely ; 
play on the credulity of; bewilder; befog. 
Mr. Pickwick . . . was considerably miintijietl by this 
very unpolite by-play. Dickem, Pickwick, ii. 
Mystropetaleae (mis*tro-pe-ta'le-e), n.pl. [NL. 
(J. D. Hooker, 1856), < Mystropetalon + -ete.] A 
tribe of dicotyledonous plants of the apetalous 
order Ralanophorew, consisting of the genus 
Mystropetalon (mis-tro-pet'a-lon), w. [NL., 
(Harvey, 1839), < Gr. [ivar/mv, fti'OTpo*;, a spoon, 
+ TthafMv, a leaf: see petal.} A genus of leaf- 
less root-parasites, constituting the tribe Mys- 
tropctitli-a; of the order liii/iiniipliorca'. it is known 
by the two or three free stamens, cubical pollen-grains, 
and two lipped stamlnate and bell-shaped pistillate flow- 
ers. It contains two South African species, fleshy scaly 
herbs, without green color, producing a dense head of 
flowers. 
mytacism (rai'ta-sizm), n. [Also, erroneously, 
metaeism ; = F." metacisme, prop, mytacisme 
Pg. meticismo, < LL. mytacismus, also mcetacin- 
mus, erroneously matacismus, < LGr. fivraiuafi6f, 
fondness for the letter ft, < Gr. [ti>, the letter //.] 
A fault of speech or of writing, consisting of 
a too frequent repetition of the sound of the 
letter m, either by substituting it for others 
through defect of utterance, or by using sev- 
eral words containing it in close conjunction. 
mytanet, myteynet, " Middle English forms 
of mitten. 
mytet, A Middle English spelling of wiitel, 
mite*. 
mytert, ". and c. A Middle English spelling of 
mtttr. 
myth (mith), . [Formerly also mythe; = F. 
mgtlie = Sp. inito = Pg. nti/tlio = ft. mito (D. 
G. Dan. mythe = 8w. myt),<. LL. mythos, NL. my- 
tliux, < Gr. /ififlof, word, speech, story, legend.] 
1. A traditional story in which the operations 
of natural forces and occurrences in human 
history are represented as the actions of indi- 
vidual living beings, especially of men, or of im- 
aginary extra-human beings acting like men; 
a tale handed down from primitive times, and 
in form historical, but in reality involving ele- 
ments of early religious views, as respecting 
the origin of things, the powers of nature and 
their workings, the rise of institutions, the his- 
tory of races and communities, and the like ; a 
legend of cosmogony, of gods and heroes, and 
of animals possessing wondrous gifts. 2. In 
a looser sense, an invented story ; something 
purely fabulous or haying no existence in fact ; 
au imaginary or fictitious individual or object: 
as, his wealthy relative was a mere myth; his 
having gone to Paris is a myth. Myth is thus 
often used as n euphemism for fiilxrii noil or lie. 
= Syn. 1. Myth, FaNe, Parable. See the quotation. 
What is a mythi A myth is, in form, a narrative ; resem- 
hlinu'. in this respect, the fable, parable, and allegory. 
But, unlike tlirsf, the idea or feeling from which the HUM 
springs and whirh, in :i sense, it embodies, is not reflectively 
distinguished from the narrative, butrather is blended with 
it ; the latter being, as it were, the native form which the 
idea or sentiment spontaneously assumes. Moreover, there 
is no consciousness, on the part of those from whom the 
ninth emanates, that this product of their fancy and feeling 
is fictitious. The /<7We is a ttetitious story, contrived to 
inculcate :i metal SM the jun-iilil,' is a similitti'le fiameil 
for the express purpose of representing abstract truth to 
1M7 
3925 
the Imagination. 1'iith/iiW. I imrnUr are the result of 
COnScioUS invent inn. Ill U>tll, 1h< -\ Milvliral ch;ii;n ti ] i'l 
the narrative is distincth I i"in the unilh, on 
the conttaiy, the element n] Irl jheiation is utterly absent. 
Mine is nn i|iie,ti,,nini: "f its reality, no criticism or In- 
quiry on the ixiiiit, bill the must jmpli umellectiug faith. 
0. 1'. HM*r, supernatural origin of Christianity, vi. 
mythet, An obsolete spelling of iiii/lh. 
myth-history (inith'his -to-rii, //. History in- 
terspci'seil with fable; mythicul history. 
mythi, . I'lural of mi/tlmx. 
mythic (mith'ik). ii. [= F. ini/tlii:/in S]>. 
initial = 1'g. niiiHiii-n = It. inilir<i(l>. Ii. lillltllixrll 
= Dan. mytltisk = Sw. mytixl:), < I/, iiiythirux, < 
Or. fivOikin; pertaining to a myth, legendary, < 
piitht, a mytn: see myth.] Same as mifiliiml. 
mythical (raith'i-kal), a. [< mythic + -al.~\ 1. 
Kelating to or characterized by myths; de- 
scribed in a myth; existing onlv in a myth or 
myths; fabulous; fabled; imaginary. 
A comparison of the histories of the most different na- 
tions shows the mythical period to have been common to 
all ; and we may trace in many quarters substantially the 
same miracles, though varied by national characteristics, 
and with a certain local cast and colouring. 
Leclry, Kurop. Morals, I. 874. 
2. Untrue; invented; false. 
The account of pheasants being captured by poachers 
lighting sulphur under their roostlng-trees appears very 
mythical. The Academy, June 15, 1839, p. 411. 
Mythical theory. In theol., the theory, developed by the 
German theologian D. F. Strauss, that the miracles and 
other supernatural events of the Bible are myths : opposed 
to the naturalistic theory, that they may be explained as 
natural phenomena, and to the supernatural theory, that 
they were the results of and witnesses to a supernatural 
power working on and through nature. 
mythically (mith'i-kal-i), adv. In a mythical 
manner; by means o? mythical fables or alle- 
gories. Ruskin. 
mythicist (mith'i-sist). . [< mythic + -it.] 
One who asserts that persons and events ap- 
pearing or alleged to be supernatural are im- 
aginary or have for their basis a myth. 
The mathicist says that the thoughts of the Jewish mind 
conjured up the divine Interference, and imagined the 
facts of the history. Princeton Jtec., July, 1879, p. 162. 
mythicizer (mith'i-si-zer), n. [< 'mythicize (< 
mythic + -ire) + -rl.] A mythicist. 
The history of the birth of our Lord and His forerunner 
affords apparent advantage to the mifthicizer beyond the 
other parts of the New Testament, where the events are 
closer to the narrators. Contemporary Rev., \ 1.1 X . 184. 
mythist (mith'ist), . [< myth + -if.] A maker 
of myths. 
When poets, and mythixts, and theologists of antiquity 
were accustomed to weave just such fancies as they pleased. 
The Independent (New York), June 18, 1862. 
mythogenesis (mith-o-jen'e-sis), w. [< Gr. /tv- 
Oof, a myth, + yivfai's, production.] The pro- 
duction of or the tendency to originate myths. 
The cause of the extraordinary development in man of 
mythogenesis, as of other faculties, was "an external im- 
pulse/' " a radical change In the conditions of existence of 
primitive man." Hind, XII. 623. 
mythographer (mi-thog'ra-fer), n. [< mytho- 
<jr<tph-y + -er 1 . J A framer or writer of myths ; 
a narrator of myths, fables, or legends. 
The statues of Mars and Venus, I imagine, had been 
copied from Fulgentius, Boccaccio's favourite mythogra- 
pher. B'orton, Hist. F.ng. Poetry, I., Addenda. 
mythography (mi-thog'ra-fi), w. [< Gr. /iv6o- 
}pa$ia, legend- writing, < /ivOoypaijior, a writer of 
legends or myths, < ^Wtef, a myth, + yptifciv, 
write.] 1. Representation of myths in graphic 
or plastic art; art -mythology. 
Mythoffraphy, or the expression of the Myth in Art, moved 
on pari passu with mythology, or the expression of the 
Myth in Literature : as one has reacted on the other, sols 
one the interpreter of the other. 
C. T. Newton, Art and Archieol., p. 22. 
2. Descriptive mythology. O. T. Maxim. 
mythologer (rai-thol'o-jer), H. [< mytholog-y 
+ -rrl.~\ A mythologist. 
mythologian (mith-o-16'ji-an), n. [< mytholoyy 
T -.] A mythologist. 
Quite opposed to this, the solar theory, is that proposed 
by Professor Kuhn, and adopted by the most eminent 
mythologians of (Germany. Max M itUer. 
mythologic (mith-o-loj'ik), a. [< F. mytholo- 
gique = Sp. mitoMi/ieo = Pg. mythologico = It. 
mitologieo, < LL. mytlinlniiicus, < Gr. /JtifoAoywof, 
pertaining to mythology or legendary lore, < 
//i^oAo; ia, mythology : sec inytliiiliMiy.'] ' Same as 
iiii/tliitli>ifii'(il. 
mythological (rnith-o-loj'i-kal), a. [< mytlio- 
luilii- + -ill.] Kclatins; to mythology; proceed- 
ing from mythology; of the nature of a myth: 
fontiiining myths: fabulous: us, a 
account ol ion. 
Mytilacea 
The mythological inteipn tali t thai I purposely 
.,n, it. i/i, Hist. World, II. xvl. li. 
mythologically (itiitlt-ii-loj'i-kiil-i), i/'-. In a 
mythological manner: by reference to mvtliol- 
K V ! '>' ''"' employment of myths. 
mytholbgise, mythologiser. "s. mi/iiinii,,/, , . 
in i/ f hi ili ft ft 
mythologist (mi-tlioro-jwt), a. [After F. /////- 
ihiilni/ixti =. Sp. HiittiiiiiiKttt = Pg. tiytkologitta 
=. It. miliilniiixlii: as ini/tliiilnii-y + -int.] < >m- 
who is versed in mythology; one who writes 
on mythology or explains myth*. 
mythologize(nii-iliol'o-ji/),i-.; pret.andpp. my- 
thuliiij >:<:<!, ppr. mytiwoaimng, [< F. iitytliiiln- 
yitter; as uiythufay-y + -i^c.] I. intrans. 1. To 
construct or relate mythical history. 
The supernatural element In the life of .St. Catharine 
may be explained partly by the mytholmjMng adoration of 
the people, ready to And a miracle In every act of her they 
worshipped, partly by her own temperament and modes 
of life. J. A. Symondt, Italy and Greece, p. 67. 
2. To explain myths. 
II. trans. 1. To make into a myth. 
This parable was immediately mytholoffiscd. 
Sw\ft, Tale of a Tub, Author's Pref. 
2. To render mythical. 
Our religion is geographical, belongs to our time and 
place; respect* and iiiuthulni/iif' some one time, and place, 
and person, and people. 
Kmtrton, \. A. Rev., CXXVL, 414. 
3. To interpret in relation to mythology. 
[Bare.] 
Ovid's Metamorphosis Knglishlzed, Mythologized, and 
Represented in Figures. 
Sandyt, title of tr. of Ovid's Metamorph. 
Also spelled mytholofjixe. 
mythologizer (mi-thol'o-ji-zer), n. One who 
or that which mythologizes. Also spelled my- 
tholoi/iser. 
Imagination has always been, and still is, in a narrower 
sense, the great mytlioloyizer. 
Lmcett, Among my Books, 1st ser., p. 85. 
mythologliet (mith'o-log), w. [< Or. pvOoc,, a 
myth, T -/loj'Of, < /.tyeiv, say.] A myth or fable 
invented for a purpose. [Rare.] 
May we not . . . consider his history of the fall at an 
excellent mythologue to account for the origin of human 
evil? Dr. A. Qeddes, Pref. to Trans, of the Bible. 
mythology (mi-thol'o-ji), w. ; pi. mytholoaien 
(-jiz). f< F. mythologic = Hp. mitoloijia = Pg. 
mythologia = It. mitologia, < LL. mythologia, < 
Gr. uvOoto-yia, legendary lore, < fivitoc,, a myth 
+ -Aoy/a, < Aeyetv, say: see -ology.] 1. The 
science of myths; the science which investi- 
gates myths with a view to their interpretation 
and to discover the degree of relationship ex- 
isting between the myths of different peoples; 
:; Iso, the description or history of myths. The 
study of surviving myths among F.uropean nations and of 
the imperfectly developed mythic systems of barbarous or 
savage races is usually accounted part of the study of folk- 
lore. 
2. A system of myths or fables in which are 
embodied the convictions of a people in regard 
to their origin, divinities, heroes, founders, etc. 
See myth. 
mythonomy (mi-thon'o-mi), . [< Gr. pvQof, a 
myth, + voftvs, law.] The deductive and pre- 
dictive stage of mythology. O. T. Maxon. 
mythopeic, mythopoeic (mith-o-pe'ik), a. [< 
Gr. fimoTfoi6f, making mythic legends, < nv6o$, 
a myth, legend, + notclv, make.] Myth-mak- 
ing; producing or tending to produce myths; 
suggesting or giving rise to myths. Also myth- 
opoetic. 
Though we may thus explain the mythopaeic fertility of 
the Greeks, I am far from pretending that we can render 
any sufficient account of the supreme beauty of their chief 
epic and artistical productions. QroU, Hist. Greece, L 16. 
mythopeist, mythopoeist (mith-o-pe'ist), n. 
[As mythopeic -f -ist.] A myth-maker. 
The Vedic mythopttitt is never weary of personifying 
this particular part of celestial nature [the dawn]. 
Keary, Prim. Belief, p. 145. 
mythoplasm (mith'o-plazm), H. [< Gr. //i "in. , 
myth. + xZaofioc,, anything molded, a fiction, 
< xMieaeiv, mold, fabricate.] A narration of 
mere fable. 
mythopceic, mythopoeist. See mythopeic, myik- 
iijii i.- 1. 
mythopoetic (raith'o-po-et'ik), a. [< Gr. pvfoc,, 
myth, + TToarriKdf, capable of making: Bee po- 
etic.] Same as mythopeic. 
mythus (uii'thus), .; pi. mythi (-thi). [NL., 
< Gr. /lifof, myth: see myth.] Same as myth, 1. 
Mytilacea (mit-i-la'se-S'), . i>1. [NL. (Cuvicr. 
1817), < .\fi/titux + -ni-fii.] 1. The mussel fam- 
ily, in a broad sense; the Mytiliittr. in De Blaln- 
ville's classification (18SS) this family consisted of Mytav* 
(Including Modiola and Lithodomut) and Pinna. 
