different between philosophical vs esoteric

English

Alternative forms

• philosophicall (obsolete)
• phylosophical (nonstandard)
• phylosophicall (obsolete)

Etymology

From philosophy +? -ical, from Ancient Greek ????????? (philosophía, “love of knowledge, scientific learning”)

Pronunciation

• (General American) IPA^(key): /?f?l??s?f?kl?/
• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /?f?l??s?f?kl?/
• Hyphenation: phi?lo?soph?i?cal

Adjective

philosophical (comparative more philosophical, superlative most philosophical)

1. Of, or pertaining to, philosophy.
2. Rational; analytic or critically-minded; thoughtful.
   • 1846, Edgar Allan Poe, "The Sphinx" in Arthur's Ladies Magazine,

     His richly philosophical intellect was not at any time affected by unrealities.

3. Detached, calm, stoic.
   • 1911, Hector Hugh Munro, "The Schartz-Metterklume Method,"

     She bore the desertion with philosophical indifference.

Synonyms

• philosophic

Antonyms

• nonphilosophical

Derived terms

Translations

Further reading

• philosophical on Wikipedia.Wikipedia

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