a. and sb. [ad. L. adept-us having attained, f. pple. of adipisci to attain, acquire; f. ad to, at + ap- to get.]
A. adj. Completely versed (in); thoroughly proficient; well-skilled.
1680. Boyle, Sceptical Chymist, Pref. to App. If there be such adept Philosophers as some speak of (which I thinke not Incredible).
1755. H. Croker, Ariosto’s Orl. Furioso, XVIII. clxxiv. I. 297. Where the learned Alpheus slept … Physician, in astrology adept.
1782. Cowper, Hope, 350. Beaus adept in ev’rything profound, Die of disdain.
1861. L. L. Noble, After Icebergs, 325. Scarecrows—a peculiar walk of art, in which the painter … became sufficiently adept to frighten … the little creatures that pulled up the corn.
B. sb. [In med. L. adeptus was used subst. and assumed by Alchemists that professed to have attained the great secret. In Eng. the L. form was at first used, with pl. Adepti.] Hence, ‘He that is completely skilled in all the secrets of his art.’ J. One that has attained to proficiency in anything.
1663. Butler, Hudibras, I. i. 546. In Rosicrucian lore as learned, As he that Vere adeptus earned.
1665. in Phil. Trans., I. 112. The several processes of the reputed Adepti.
1685. Lond. Gaz., mmlxxii/4. Four Books … concerning the secrets of the Adepts.
1704. T. Hearne, Duct. Hist. (ed. 3), I. 401. Unintelligible to all but Adepti.
1785. Reid, Intell. Powers, II. viii. 271. Queens became adepts in Des Cartes’ philosophy.
1831. Scott, Kenilw., xviii. (1853), 193. Varney heard the adept’s door shut and carefully bolted.
1863. Burton, Book Hunter, 124. The greatest adepts abandoning the effort in despair.
