a profound secret; something wholly unknown, or something kept cautiously concealed, and therefore exciting curiosity or wonder; something which has not been or can not be explained; hence, specifically, that which is beyond human comprehension.-a kind of secret religious celebration, to which none were admitted except those who had been initiated by certain preparatory ceremonies; -- usually plural; as, the eleusinian mysteries.-the consecrated elements in the eucharist.-anything artfully made difficult; an enigma.-a trade; a handicraft; hence, any business with which one is usually occupied.-a dramatic representation of a scriptural subject, often some event in the life of christ; a dramatic composition of this character; as, the chester mysteries, consisting of dramas acted by various craft associations in that city in the early part of the 14th century.