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Nov 29, 2009
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oc•cult



Pronunciation: (u-kult', ok'ult), [key]
—adj.
1. of or pertaining to magic, astrology, or any system claiming use or knowledge of secret or supernatural powers or agencies.
2. beyond the range of ordinary knowledge or understanding; mysterious.
3. secret; disclosed or communicated only to the initiated.
4. hidden from view.
5. (in early science)
a. not apparent on mere inspection but discoverable by experimentation.
b. of a nature not understood, as physical qualities.
c. dealing with such qualities; experimental: occult science.
6. Med.present in amounts too small to be visible: a chemical test to detect occult blood in the stool.

—n.
1. the supernatural or supernatural agencies and affairs considered as a whole (usually prec. by the).
2. occult studies or sciences (usually prec. by the).

—v.t.
1. to block or shut off (an object) from view; hide.
2. Astron.to hide (a celestial body) by occultation.

—v.i.
to become hidden or shut off from view.

Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.

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