Where does “esoteric” come from?
Esoteric derives from Ancient Greek ἐσωτερικός, formed with the adjectival suffix -ικός and -κός from Proto-Indo-European -kos, ultimately from Proto-Hellenic ens and Proto-Indo-European h₁én meaning "being" or "existence."
esoteric (English): Intended for or likely to be understood by only a...
Definitions
- Intended for or likely to be understood by only a...
Ancestry of “esoteric”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ancient Greek | ἐσωτερικός | belonging to an inner circle, esoteric |
| 2 | Ancient Greek | -ικός | of or pertaining to, in the manner of; -ic |
| 3 | Ancient Greek | -κός | forms adjectives with the sense of 'of or... |
| 4 | Proto-Indo-European | -ḱos | -y, -ic |