occult
adjEtymology Borrowed from Latin occultus (“hidden, secret”).
1
Medicine, Sciences Secret; hidden from general knowledge; undetected.
- occult blood loss; occult cancer
- 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:
1 more example
- 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
Medicine, Sciences not visible, but chemically detectable.
- occult blood in the urine
3
Related to the occult; pertaining to mysticism, magic, or astrology.
- 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:
- 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:
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:
- Derived terms
- fecal occult blood, hemoccult, occultic, occultism, occultist, occult line, occultly, occultness, occultural, occulture