exoteric

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   intended or suitable for the general public rather than a restricted inner circle

   The lecturer offered an exoteric account of the doctrine before discussing its secret rites.

2. 2
   adj

   readily understandable to nonspecialists; accessible

   The editor made the technical argument exoteric without stripping it of precision.

A learned borrowing through Late Latin exotericus from Ancient Greek exōterikos, meaning 'outer' or 'external.' It derives from exō, 'outside,' and came to contrast public teaching with esoteric instruction reserved for an inner circle.

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