exoteric

From Latin exōtericus, from Ancient Greek ἐξωτερικός (exōterikós, “external”), adjectival form of ἐξώτερος (exṓteros, “outside”).

• IPA^(key): /ˌɛksəˈtɛɹɪk/
• Hyphenation: ex‧o‧ter‧ic
• Rhymes: -ɛɹɪk

• Audio (US)

  (file)

exoteric (comparative more exoteric, superlative most exoteric)

1. Suitable to be imparted to the public without secrecy or other reservations.
   • 1823, Thomas De Quincey, “Letters to a Young Man whose Education has been Neglected. Letter V.”, in Letters to a Young Man whose Education has been Neglected; and Other Papers (De Quincey’s Works; XIV), London: James Hogg & Sons, published 1860, →OCLC, page 91:

     In one of his works he has ascribed to [Immanuel] Kant the foppery of an exoteric, and an esoteric doctrine; and that upon grounds wholly untenable.

   • 2007, Reza Shah-Kazemi, “Frithjof Schuon and Prayer”, in Martin Lings, editor, The Underlying Religion‎, →ISBN, page 301:

     Again, it is folly to belittle the significance of the canonical prayer — or exoteric rites in general — out of some presumptuous notion of esoterism.

2. (by extension) Capable of being fully or readily comprehended; accessible; also, having an obvious application.
   • 1977 October, Gaynor Jones; Jay Rahn, “Definitions of Popular Music: Recycled”, in Journal of Aesthetic Education, volume 11, number 4, page 81:

     The grouping together of folk and elite might be termed relatively "esoteric", in contrast to the more "exoteric" popular forms.

3. (rare) Having wide currency; popular, public.
   • 1850, Thomas Carlyle, “Downing Street”, in Latter-Day Pamphlets‎, page 7:

     Such, from sad personal experience and credited prevailing rumor, is the exoteric public conviction about these sublime establishments in Downing Street and the neighborhood, the esoteric mysteries of which are indeed still held sacred by the initiated, but believed by the world to be mere Dalai-Lama pills, manufactured let not refined lips hint how, and quite un-salvatory to mankind.

4. (obsolete) External.
   • 1790, William Paley, Horae Paulinae‎, 1796 edition edition, page 188:

     щннгншвдащ6ца

[…] this motive appears to have been always exoteric, namely, a love of order and tranquility, or an unwillingness to give unnecessary offence.

• arcane
• esoteric
• exclusive
• cerebral

• exoterical, exoterically
• exotericism

Borrowed from French exotérique.

exoteric m or n (feminine singular exoterică, masculine plural exoterici, feminine and neuter plural exoterice)

1. exoteric