esoterism

[es-uh-tuh-riz-uhm, es-uh-ter-iz-]

noun

1. esotericism.

Other Word Forms

• esoterist noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of esoterism¹

1825–35; < Greek esóter ( os ) inner + -ism

Example Sentences

In fact there cannot here be either division or esoterism, nor consequently limitation or narrowness.

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The latest religious invention in America is Esoterism, which promises immortality to its followers—immortality, that is all!

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As we are not bound by Maimonides's principle of esoterism and mystery, nor are we in fear of being an offence and a stumbling block to the fools, we shall proceed more directly in our exposition of his philosophy; and shall begin with Maimonides's general ideas on the need of science for intelligent faith and the relation thereto of Jewish history and literature.

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They understand, because they feel, the inevitable esoterism that must persist at the kernel of all democracies, unless these degenerate into mere rabble and intellectual mob: they are the last, therefore, to maintain that one person's word is as good as another's; that common sense is competent to solve all questions; that freedom of thought means the right of all to think as they please.

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It contained the esoterism of the One-Religion, and Saint Jerome, who found this gospel in the library of Cæsarea about the end of the fourth century, says that he "received permission to translate it from the Nazareans of Berœa."

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Related Words

• newness 
• weirdness www.thesaurus.com

When To Use

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.