Hermetic
adjective /hɜːrˈmɛtɪk/ — Perfectly sealed — or belonging to the hidden arts.
Definition
Airtight; impervious to external influence; of or relating to an occult tradition of alchemy and Neoplatonism attributed to Hermes Trismegistus.
Beyond the definition
Hermetic has two meanings that are secretly the same: perfectly sealed (hermetically sealed) and relating to the occult tradition of Hermes Trismegistus. The connection is magical: a hermetic seal was originally one applied by a magic spell so powerful that nothing could pass through. The word retains that quality of impenetrability.
Origin & history
From medieval Latin hermeticus, from Hermes Trismegistus ('Thrice-great Hermes') — the legendary sage of Greco-Egyptian alchemy. The connection to airtight sealing comes from alchemical vessels sealed by magic.
Example sentences
Illustrative sentences for learning, not verified community posts or sourced quotations.
The manuscript had survived in hermetic isolation — untouched, unread, perfectly preserved.
She had built a hermetic world in her studio: no phone, no visitors, just the work.
The hermetic tradition of alchemy passed its knowledge through coded symbols and initiated teachers.
How to use it
This entry uses an adjective. Follow the examples for the nouns it describes and its position in the sentence.
Choose “Hermetic” when the meaning fits your context: Airtight; impervious to external influence; of or relating to an occult tradition of alchemy and Neoplatonism attributed to Hermes Trismegistus.
Synonyms
Antonyms
open, accessible, permeable, transparent
Related words
Questions about this word
What does "Hermetic" mean?
Hermetic is adjective meaning: Perfectly sealed — or belonging to the hidden arts.. Airtight; impervious to external influence; of or relating to an occult tradition of alchemy and Neoplatonism attributed to Hermes Trismegistus.
Where does the word "Hermetic" come from?
From medieval Latin hermeticus, from Hermes Trismegistus ('Thrice-great Hermes') — the legendary sage of Greco-Egyptian alchemy. The connection to airtight sealing comes from alchemical vessels sealed by magic.