hermetic

 
Pronunciation: /həːˈmɛtɪk/

adjective

  • 1(of a seal or closure) complete and airtight: a hermetic seal that ensures perfect waterproofing
  • insulated or protected from outside influences: a hermetic society
  • 2 (also Hermetic) relating to an ancient occult tradition encompassing alchemy, astrology, and theosophy: some saw in the Hermetic texts an anticipation of Christianity
  • difficult to understand because intended for a small number of people with specialized knowledge: obscure and hermetic poems

Derivatives

hermetically

adverb

hermeticism

noun

Origin:

mid 17th century (in hermetic (sense 2)): from modern Latin hermeticus, from Hermes, identified with Thoth, regarded as the founder of alchemy and astrology