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exoteric
[ ek-suh-ter-ik ]
/ ˌɛk səˈtɛr ɪk /
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adjective
suitable for or communicated to the general public.
not belonging, limited, or pertaining to the inner or select circle, as of disciples or intimates.
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Origin of exoteric
First recorded in 1645–55; from Late Latin exōtericus “popular (e.g., of books), not technical or abstruse,” from Greek exōterikós “external, outside, popular,” equivalent to exṓter(os) “outer” (from exō- adverb and prefix + -teros comparative suffix also used for natural and complementary pairs) + -ikos adjective suffix; see exo-, -ic
OTHER WORDS FROM exoteric
ex·o·ter·i·cal·ly, adverbex·o·ter·i·cism, nounWORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH exoteric
esoteric, exotericWords nearby exoteric
exosmosis, exosphere, exospore, exosporium, exostosis, exoteric, exoterica, exothermic, exotic, exotica, exotic dancer
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use exoteric in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for exoteric
exoteric
/ (ˌɛksəʊˈtɛrɪk) /
adjective
intelligible to or intended for more than a select or initiated minorityan exoteric account of a philosophical doctrine
external; exterior
Derived forms of exoteric
exoterically, adverbexotericism, nounWord Origin for exoteric
C17: from Latin exōtericus external, from Greek exōterikos, from exōterō further outside; see exo-
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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