Arcane vs. Esoteric — What's the Difference?
Difference Between Arcane and Esoteric
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Compare with Definitions
Arcane
Known or understood by only a few
Arcane economic theories.
Esoteric
Intended for or understood by only a small group, especially one with specialized knowledge or interests
An esoteric philosophical doctrine.
Arcane
Understood by only a few.
Arcane rituals
Esoteric
Relating to or being a small group with specialized knowledge or interests
An esoteric circle.
Arcane
(by extension) Obscure, mysterious.
Arcane origins
Arcane details
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Esoteric
Not known by or suitable for the public; private
Few understood the celebrity's esoteric side.
Arcane
Requiring secret or mysterious knowledge to understand.
Esoteric
One that is esoteric.
Arcane
Extremely old (e.g. interpretation or knowledge), and possibly irrelevant.
Esoteric
Esoterics Esoteric matters; esoterica
"The course ... is anything but an exercise in ivory tower esoterics" (Sharon Waxman).
Arcane
Hidden; secret.
Esoteric
Intended for or likely to be understood by only a small number of people with a specialized knowledge or interest, or an enlightened inner circle.
The writing in this manual is very esoteric; I’d need a degree in engineering just to understand it!
Arcane
Requiring secret or mysterious knowledge;
The arcane science of dowsing
Esoteric
Having to do with concepts that are highly theoretical and without obvious practical application; often with mystical or religious connotations.
Esoteric
Confidential; private.
An esoteric purpose
An esoteric meeting
Esoteric
An esoteric doctrine or treatise; esoteric philosophy.
Esoteric
One who believes, or is an initiate, in esoteric doctrines or rites.
Esoteric
Designed for, and understood by, the specially initiated alone; not communicated, or not intelligible, to the general body of followers; private; interior; acroamatic; - said of discussions of technical topics and of the private and more recondite instructions and doctrines of philosophers. Opposed to exoteric.
Enough if every age produce two or three critics of this esoteric class, with here and there a reader to understand them.
Esoteric
Marked by secrecy or privacy; private; select; confidential; as, an esoteric purpose; an esoteric meeting.
Esoteric
An esoteric doctrine or treatise; esoteric philosophy; esoterics.
Esoteric
Confined to and understandable by only an enlightened inner circle;
A compilation of esoteric philosophical theories
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