mystery play

Hello, you have come here looking for the meaning of the word mystery play. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word mystery play, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say mystery play in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word mystery play you have here. The definition of the word mystery play will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition ofmystery play, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.

English

Noun

mystery play (plural mystery plays)

  1. (performing arts) A medieval dramatic performance depicting events from Christian scriptures, especially events from the life of Jesus Christ.
  2. A similar play depicting events from the life of other gods or goddesses.
    • 1920, Edward Carpenter, Pagan and Christian Creeds, New York: Harcourt, Brace and Co., published 1921, page 22:
      His [Osiris'] sufferings, his death and his resurrection were enacted year by year in a great mystery-play at Abydos.
    • 1993, Jean Houston, Public Like a Frog: Entering the Lives of Three Great Americans, page xix:
      We also entered into the mystery plays of Demeter and Persephone, of Psyche and Eros, of Isis and Osiris[.]

Translations

See also

References