different between esoteric vs acroamatic

English

Alternative forms

• esoterick (obsolete)

Etymology

From Ancient Greek ?????????? (es?terikós, “belonging to an inner circle”), from ??????? (es?tér?, “further inside”), comparative of ??? (és?, “within”), from ?? (es), ??? (eis, “into”) (esoteric originally referred to the secret teachings of Greek philosophers, versus public or exoteric ones).

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /?i?s.???t??.?k/
• (US) IPA^(key): /??s.??t??.?k/, /??s.o??t??.?k/, enPR: ?s?t?r'?k, ?s?t?r'?k
• Rhymes: -?r?k

Adjective

esoteric (comparative more esoteric, superlative most esoteric)

1. Intended for or likely to be understood by only a small number of people with a specialized knowledge or interest, or an enlightened inner circle.

   Synonyms: arcane, recondite

2. Having to do with concepts that are highly theoretical and without obvious practical application; often with mystical or religious connotations.
   • 1975, Saul Bellow, Humboldt's Gift [Avon ed., 1976, p. 278]:

     When he spoke to me of esoteric mysteries I wanted to say to him,"Don't give me that spiritual hokum, friend!"

   Synonym: cerebral

3. Confidential; private.

   Synonym: secretive

Antonyms

• exoteric

Related terms

Translations

See also

• exoterism
• metaphysical
• occult
• paranormal
• supernatural
• theoretical

Noun

esoteric (plural esoterics)

1. An esoteric doctrine or treatise; esoteric philosophy.
2. One who believes, or is an initiate, in esoteric doctrines or rites.

Anagrams

• coteries

English

Etymology

From Ancient Greek ???????????? (akroamatikós, “for hearing only”), from ????????? (akroáomai, “to listen”).

Adjective

acroamatic (comparative more acroamatic, superlative most acroamatic)

1. (rare) Of or related to esoteric knowledge transmitted orally, particularly (historical) applied to the teachings of Aristotle intended only for his disciples as opposed to the exoteric doctrines declaimed in public.
2. Of or related to lectures.
   • 2015, Nils F. Schott, "A Mother to All" in Love and Forgiveness for a More Just World, p. 108, n. 45:

     [Questions] employment here does not mark a shift from the acroamatic (lecture-based) to the erotematic (interrogatory) method, for the answers are not known.

Related terms

• acroamatics