Sentimental Rox: Her·met·ic

Original image description from the Deutsche Fotothek: Deutsch: Theosophie & Alchemie (Photo credit: Wikipedi

adjective \(ˌ)hər-ˈme-tik\

Definition of HERMETIC

often capitalized

a : of or relating to the mystical and alchemical writings or teachings arising in the first three centuries a.d. and attributed to Hermes Trismegistus

b : relating to or characterized by occultism or abstruseness : recondite

[Woman working, Hermetic Seal Transformer Company] (Photo credit: SMU Central University Libraries)

[from the belief that Hermes Trismegistus invented a magic seal to keep vessels airtight]

a : airtight <hermetic seal>

b : impervious to external influence hermetic

military machine — Jack Newfield>

c : recluse, solitary hermetic life>

— her·met·i·cal·ly adverb

Variants of HERMETIC

her·met·ic also her·met·i·cal

Examples of HERMETIC

hermetic

poetry whose sole intended readership was himself>

Origin of HERMETIC

Medieval Latin hermeticus, from Hermet-, Hermes Trismegistus

First Known Use: 1605

Related to HERMETIC

Synonyms: abstruse, arcane, deep, esoteric, profound (also hermetical), recondite

Antonyms: shallow, superficial

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Other Religion (Eastern and Other) Terms

Zen, antinomian, avatar, gnosticism, illuminati, ineffable, karma, koan, mantra

her·met·ic

adjective \(ˌ)hər-ˈmet-ik\ (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of HERMETIC

: being airtight or impervious to air

—her·met·i·cal·ly adverb

see filename (Photo credit: Wikipedia

Biographical Note for HERMETIC

Her·mes Tris·me·gis·tus, Greek mythological character. Hermes Trismegistus was identified by the Greeks with the Egyptian god Thoth. To him was ascribed authorship of various works on astrology, magic, alchemy, and medicine. It was also believed that he had invented a magic seal to keep vessels airtight, and from his name the adjective hermetic meaning airtight was derived.