Es`o*ter"ic (es`O*te"ik), a. [Gr. 'eswteriko`s, fr. 'esw`teros inner, interior, comp. fr. 'e`sw in, within, fr. 'es, e'is, into, fr. 'en in. See In.]

Designed for, and understood by, the specially initiated alone; not communicated, or not intelligible, to the general body of followers; private; interior; acroamatic; -- said of the private and more recondite instructions and doctrines of philosophers. Opposed to exoteric.

Enough if every age produce two or three critics of this esoteric class, with here and there a reader to understand them.
De Quincey.

 

© Webster 1913


Es`o*ter"ic (?), a.

Marked by secrecy or privacy; private; select; confidential; as, an esoteric purpose; an esoteric meeting.

 

© Webster 1913


Es`o*ter"ic, n. (Philos.)

(a)

An esoteric doctrine or treatise; esoteric philosophy; esoterics.

(b)

One who believes, or is an initiate, in esoteric doctrines or rites.

 

© Webster 1913

Log in or register to write something here or to contact authors.