telestic

From Ancient Greek τελεστικός (telestikós), from τέλος (télos, “mystery religion”).

• IPA^(key): /tɛˈlɛstɪk/
• Hyphenation: te‧les‧tic
• Homophone: telestich

telestic (comparative more telestic, superlative most telestic)

1. Of or pertaining to religious mysteries.
   • 1804, Plato, “The Phædrus”, in Floyer Sydenham, Thomas Taylor, transl., The Works of Plato, viz. His Fifty-five Dialogues, and Twelve Epistles, Translated from the Greek; Nine of the Dialogues by the Late Floyer Sydenham, and the Remainder by Thomas Taylor: with Occasional Annotations on the Nine Dialogues Translated by Sydenham, and Copious Notes, by the Latter Translator; in which is Given the Substance of nearly all the Existing Greek Ms. Commentaries on the Philosophy of Plato, and a Considerable Portion of such as are already Published. In Five Volumes, volume I, London: Printed for Thomas Taylor, by R. Wilks, Chancery-Lane; and sold by E. Jeffery, and R. E. Evans, Pall-Mall, page 293, footnote 2:

     Orithya was the daughter of Erectheus, and the prieſteſs of Boreas; for each of the winds has a preſiding deity, which the teleſtic art, or the art pertaining to ſacred myſteries, religiouſly cultivates.

   • 1992, Donna Tartt, The Secret History, New York, N.Y.: Alfred A. Knopf, →ISBN:

     He paused, and took a drink. ‘Do you remember last fall, in Julian’s class, when we studied what Plato calls telestic madness? Bakcheia? Dionysiac frenzy?’

2. Of or pertaining to a hierophant.
3. Mystical.

telestic (plural telestics)

1. Alternative form of telestich

• testicle