esoterism
Americannoun
Usage
What does esoterism mean? Esoterism is the state or quality of being esoteric—obscure and only understood or intended to be understood by a small number of people with special (and perhaps secret) knowledge. Esoterism is more commonly called esotericism. Another name for it is esotery. Esoterism often involves knowledge that’s only intended to be revealed to people who have been initiated into a certain group. The word is closely associated with mysticism and the occult. The word esoterism can also refer to esoteric beliefs or writings. A similar term is esoterica, which collectively refers to such knowledge or to books and other works that contain such topics. Someone who practices esoterism or holds such beliefs can be called an esoterist. Example: To the uninitiated, this kind of esoterism is impenetrably arcane.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of esoterism
1825–35; < Greek esóter ( os ) inner + -ism
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
In fact there cannot here be either division or esoterism, nor consequently limitation or narrowness.
From Outlines of a Philosophy of Religion based on Psychology and History by Sabatier, Auguste
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
