hermetic

adjective

her·​met·​ic (ˌ)hər-ˈme-tik 

variants or less commonly hermetical

(ˌ)hər-ˈme-ti-kəl 

1

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 subjects that are mysterious and difficult to understand : relating to or characterized by occultism or abstruseness : recondite

a hermetic discussion

2

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

a

: airtight

hermetic seal

b

: impervious to external influence

trapped inside the hermetic military machine

—Jack Newfield

c

: recluse, solitary

leads a hermetic life

Did you know?

Hermetic Has Origins in Greek Mythology

Hermetic derives from Greek via the Medieval Latin word hermeticus. When it first entered English in the early 17th century, hermetic was associated with writings attributed to Thoth, the Egyptian god of wisdom. Thoth, whom the Greeks called Hermes Trismegistus ("thrice-great Hermes"), was believed to be the author of a number of mystical, philosophical, and alchemistic works. The obscure subject matter of these works may have made them difficult to wade through, for soon English speakers were also applying hermetic to things that were beyond ordinary human comprehension. Additionally, Hermes Trismegistus was said to have invented a magic seal that could keep vessels airtight. Hermetic thus came to mean "airtight," both literally and figuratively. These days, it can also sometimes mean "solitary."

Synonyms

• abstruse
• arcane
• deep
• esoteric
• profound
• recondite

Examples of hermetic in a Sentence

wrote hermetic poetry whose sole intended readership was himself

Recent Examples on the Web

Its latest new venture is a foray into the last frontier of the Cold War — even as tensions between South Korea and its hermetic neighbor to the north have risen in recent years. —Stella Kim, NBC News, 29 Nov. 2024

Regardless of how hermetic writing might seem, one thing that writers are dealing with a lot more in the current entertainment climate is the ability to assimilate a lot of different voices from a lot of different camps. —Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 26 June 2024

But the good news is that cans provide a hermetic seal. —Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 23 Apr. 2024

Move to any metropolitan area and the only steady co-ed fitness options tend to be gym classes, hermetic adult obstacle courses in dilapidating indoor malls, and recreational sports leagues ranging from soccer to … dodgeball. —Lisa Kwon, Vulture, 5 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Medieval Latin hermeticus, from Hermet-, Hermes Trismegistus

First Known Use

1605, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

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Kids Definition

hermetic

adjective

her·​met·​ic (ˌ)hər-ˈmet-ik 

: airtight sense 1

hermetically

-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Medical Definition

hermetic

adjective

her·​met·​ic (ˌ)hər-ˈmet-ik 

: being airtight or impervious to air

hermetically

-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb