Learned borrowing fromAncient Greekἐσωτερικός(esōterikós,“belonging to an inner circle”), fromἐσωτέρω(esōtérō,“further inside”), comparative ofἔσω(ésō,“within”), fromἐς(es),εἰς(eis,“into”) (the termesoteric referred originally to the secret teachings of Greek philosophers, versus public orexoteric ones).
The writing in this manual is veryesoteric; I’d need a degree in engineering just to understand it!
1975, Lucy S. Dawidowicz,The War Against the Jews 1933-1945:
In this situation Hitler availed himself of a time-honored device-the use ofesoteric language. In all periods of history, when government or society has put limits on public discussion, those who wish to circumvent censorship resort to the use ofesoteric language.Exoterically understood, the text is unexceptionable, but to the insiders who know how to interpret the words, the message is revolutionary and dangerous to the status quo.
Having to do withconcepts that are highlytheoretical and without obvious practical application; often with mystical or religious connotations.
