好词典

esoteric

UK //ˌiːsəˈterɪk//US //ˌesəˈterɪk//

词源

源自希腊语 esōterikos(内部的),由 esōterō(更内在)演变而来,最初指只对内部成员传授的学说。17世纪进入英语。

adjective

❶ 指知识、理论或兴趣等非常深奥难懂,只有少数特定人群才能理解或欣赏。常用于描述晦涩的哲学、宗教或学术内容。

“The professor's lecture was so esoteric that only a few students could follow it.”

(教授的讲座过于深奥,只有少数学生能听懂。)

“She has an esoteric collection of ancient manuscripts.”

(她收藏了一批鲜为人知的古代手稿。)

同义词:abstruse, arcane, obscure, recondite, cryptic

常见短语

esoteric knowledge — 指只有少数专家或特定群体掌握的深奥知识,常与神秘学或专业领域相关。

“Alchemy was considered esoteric knowledge in medieval Europe.”

(炼金术在中世纪欧洲被视为秘传知识。)