Dictionary

mystery play en · NOUN

Meanings

1. (qualifier: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.
   • His [Osiris'] sufferings, his death and his resurrection were enacted year by year in a great mystery-play at Abydos. 1920, Edward Carpenter, Pagan and Christian Creeds, New York: Harcourt, Brace and Co., published 1921, page 22:
   • We also entered into the mystery plays of Demeter and Persephone, of Psyche and Eros, of Isis and Osiris[.] 1993, Jean Houston, Public Like a Frog: Entering the Lives of Three Great Americans, page xix:

Forms

Relateds

passion play · nativity play

Translations (8)

sv mysteriespel (medieval dramatic performance) · pl misterium (medieval dramatic performance) · fr mystère (medieval dramatic performance) · fi mysteerinäytelmä (medieval dramatic performance) · de Mysterienspiel (medieval dramatic performance) · hu misztériumjáték (medieval dramatic performance) · la mysterium (medieval dramatic performance) · ru мисте́рия (medieval dramatic performance)