[f. L. eleusīni-us (Gr. ἐλενσίνιος) belonging to Eleusis + -AN.] Belonging to Eleusis in Attica. Eleusinian mysteries: the mysteries of Demeter there celebrated; also fig. Hence Eleusinianism (nonce-wd.).
1643. Milton, Divorce, Wks. 1738, I. 190. Eleusinian Mysteries, that no man can utter what they mean.
1841–4. Emerson, Ess., xx. Wks. (Bohn), I. 250. The Eleusinian mysteries … show that there always were seeing and knowing men in the planet.
1857. Chamb. Jrnl., VII. 226. The eleusinianism of bonnetdom.
