Mysteriousness
/mɪˌstɪriˈoʊs.nəs/noun
The quality of being mysterious or difficult to understand.
Did you know?The root behind *mysteriousness* goes back to Greek *mystērion*, a term for sacred secrets in religious initiation, which is also why words like *mystic* and *mystery* feel so charged.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
mystḗrion
“A secret rite or hidden religious truth, especially in mystery cults”
Late Greek
Greek
mystēriōdēs
“Full of mystery; secretive or obscure”
Late Latin
Latin
mysteriosus
“Mysterious, secret, or full of hidden meaning”
Middle French
French
mystérieux
“Mysterious; having an air of secrecy or concealment”
Late Middle English
English
mysterious
“Mysterious; obscure, secret, or puzzling”
Modern English
English
mysteriousness
“The state or quality of being mysterious”