occult

present singular third person occults · participle present occulting · participle past occulted · past occulted

1. transitiveastronomyTo cover or hide from view.

   The Earth occults the Moon during a lunar eclipse.

2. raretransitiveTo dissimulate, conceal, or obfuscate.

   […]to do so would occult rather than illuminate the utterly unexpected and surprising character of his coming and of his reign.

   2013 June 28, Abi Doukhan, Spectrum Magazine

comparative more occult · superlative most occult

1. medicineSecret; hidden from general knowledge; undetected.

   occult blood loss; occult cancer

   2 more examples

   This counter-influence is so much more conclusive[…] because it is of an occult kind, and is so insensible in its advances as to escape observation.

   1860, Isaac Taylor, “Mind in Form”, in Ultimate Civilization, page 178

   One of our dogs with PHPTH [primary hyperparathyroidism] had lucent lesions in the long bones, but this is extremely uncommon. Concurrent hyperproteinemia is supportive of myeloma. Solid tumors with metastasis to bone are more likely if lytic bone lesions and normoproteinemia (especially a normal serum globulin concentration) are present. A core biopsy of a lytic lesion may be necessary to establish a definitive diagnosis of neoplasia, especially in a dog with occult neoplasia.

   2004, Edward C. Feldman, Richard William Nelson, “Hypercalcemia and primary hyperparathyroidism”, in Canine and Feline Endocrinology and Reproduction, Elsevier, →ISBN, page 695

2. medicinenot visible, but chemically detectable.

   occult blood in the urine

3. Related to the occult; pertaining to mysticism, magic, or astrology.

   Be aware that occult knowledge can be used for good or evil purposes.

   2017, Pao Chang, Word Magic: The Powers & Occult Definitions of Words, →OCLC

   1 more example

   The concoctions contrived by Italians were particularly in clamant demand, while the occult sciences of astrology and alchemy lent their support[.]

   1961, Harry E. Wedeck, Dictionary of Aphrodisiacs, New York: The Citadel Press, page 190

4. Esoteric.

   Elbows almost touching they leaned at ease, idly reading the almost obliterated lines engraved there. ¶ "I never understood it," she observed, lightly scornful. "What occult meaning has a sun-dial for the spooney? I'm sure I don't want to read riddles in a strange gentleman's optics."

   1907 August, Robert W[illiam] Chambers, chapter VIII, in The Younger Set, New York, N.Y.: D. Appleton & Company, →OCLC

1. uncountableusuallywith definite articleSupernatural affairs.

   Due to my strong personal convictions / I wish to stress / That this record / In no way endorses / A belief in the occult

   2016, Lemon Demon, “Lifetime Achievement Award”, in Spirit Phone