different between exoterism vs esoteric

English

Noun

exoterism (plural exoterisms)

1. The outward forms that religion takes; the institutional aspects of faith and religion, such as rituals, moral precepts, and institutions.
   • 1875. Gordon Campbell, Wilson Edward William Morrison, E B Iwan-Müller, Frederick Sanders Pulling, Francis Griffin Stokes, The Shotover Papers, Or, Echoes from Oxford, University of Oxford, page 73,

     It is not however easy -- perhaps it is impossible -- to reveal a discovery so wonderful by popular exoterism on the point: posterity will amplify and expound in dry but acumonious logic what I have here only to put forth in its great Severity and Profundity.

   • 1919. Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, Isis Unveiled: A Master Key to the Mysteries of Ancient and Modern Science, The Aryan Theosophical Press, page 535,

     The thought of the present-day commentator and critic as to the ancient learning, is limited to and runs round the exoterism of the temples...

   • 2003. Reiner Schürmann, Reginald Lilly, Broken Hegemonies, Indiana University Press, page 248,

     In their exoterism, they showed civic sense is most demanding.

See also

• esoterism

References

• exoterism, in New Encyclopedia of Islam.

Anagrams

• oximeters, oximetres

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