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exoteric

adjective
ex·​o·​ter·​ic | \ ˌek-sə-ˈter-ik How to pronounce exoteric (audio) \

Definition of exoteric

1a : suitable to be imparted to the public the exoteric doctrine — compare esoteric
b : belonging to the outer or less initiate circle
2 : relating to the outside : external
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Other Words from exoteric

exoterically \ ˌek-​sə-​ˈter-​i-​k(ə-​)lē How to pronounce exoterically (audio) \ adverb

Did You Know?

Exoteric derives from Latin exōtericus, which is itself from Greek exoterikos, meaning "external," and ultimately from "exo, meaning "outside." "Exō" has a number of offspring in English, including "exotic," "exonerate," "exorbitant," and the combining form "exō-" or "ex-" (as in "exoskeleton" and "exobiology"). The antonym of "exoteric" is esoteric, meaning "designed for or understood by the specially initiated alone"; it descends from the Greek word for within," "esō."

First Known Use of exoteric

1660, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

History and Etymology for exoteric

Latin & Greek; Latin exotericus, from Greek exōterikos, literally, external, from exōterō more outside, comparative of exō outside — more at exo-

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