exoteric

[ ek-suh-ter-ik ]
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adjective
  1. suitable for or communicated to the general public.

  2. not belonging, limited, or pertaining to the inner or select circle, as of disciples or intimates.

  1. pertaining to the outside; exterior; external.

Origin of exoteric

1
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, adverb
  • ex·o·ter·i·cism, noun

Words that may be confused with exoteric

Words Nearby exoteric

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How to use exoteric in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for exoteric

exoteric

/ (ˌɛksəʊˈtɛrɪk) /


adjective
  1. intelligible to or intended for more than a select or initiated minority: an exoteric account of a philosophical doctrine

  2. external; exterior

Origin of exoteric

1
C17: from Latin exōtericus external, from Greek exōterikos, from exōterō further outside; see exo-

Derived forms of exoteric

  • exoterically, adverb
  • exotericism, noun

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