rhizoverbBeta
DictionaryRoot: -ic
English

-ic

connected with or characteristic of

Forms

  • -ic

Origin

Through French and Latin -icus from Greek -ikos.

Note

It can indicate a field, a material, a resemblance, or a tendency; it has no single literal meaning in every word.

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adjective

hermetic

Relating to occult or alchemical traditions associated with Hermes Trismegistus.

The museum displays hermetic texts alongside early books on alchemy.

Etymology
hermetGreekHermes, here Hermes Trismegistus
+icEnglishconnected with or characteristic of

The adjective comes from the figure credited with writings on hidden wisdom and alchemy. Hermetic identifies the traditions associated with that authority.

More examples

  • This book explores the role of Hermes Trismegistus in hermetic philosophy.
  • The painting uses hermetic symbols drawn from alchemy.
  • Our class discusses the influence of hermetic traditions on Renaissance thinkers.

Forms

hermetic

hermeticism noun — Traditions based on teachings attributed to Hermes Trismegistus.

Similar words

occult
Covers hidden supernatural knowledge, not specifically teachings attributed to Hermes.
alchemical
Concerns alchemy specifically, rather than the broader tradition of Hermes.