hermetic
/hə(ɹ)ˈmɛtɪk/ adjective
Forms hermetical hermetick
- adjective (chiefly capitalized, Greek mythology) Pertaining to the ancient Greek Olympian god Hermes.
- adjective (chiefly capitalized) Pertaining to Hermes Trismegistus or the writings attributed to him.
- adjective (chiefly capitalized) One who follows/worships Hermes.
- adjective Pertaining to alchemy or occult practices; magical, alchemical.
- adjective Hermetically sealed.
- adjective Isolated, away from outside influence.
Etymology
From Medieval Latin hermeticus, irregular derivation of Hermes Trismegistus, the god and mythological alchemist, said to possess a magic ability to seal treasure chests so that nothing could access their contents.
Webster’s 1913
- adjective Of, pertaining to, or taught by, Hermes Trismegistus; as, hermetic philosophy. Hence: Alchemical; chemic. "Delusions of the hermetic art." Burke.
- adjective Of or pertaining to the system which explains the causes of diseases and the operations of medicine on the principles of the hermetic philosophy, and which made much use, as a remedy, of an alkali and an acid; as, hermetic medicine.
Etymology [F. hermétique. See Note under Hermes, 1.]
Sources: Wiktionary · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “hermetic”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details