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Abstruse: meaning, definitions and examples

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abstruse

 

[ ษ™bหˆstruหs ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

difficult to understand

Abstruse refers to concepts or ideas that are hard to understand, often requiring significant intellectual effort to grasp. It is typically used in contexts involving complex theories, specialized knowledge, or intricate literature. A work that is abstruse may alienate general audiences due to its challenging nature. In academic settings, abstractions that seem simple to experts might be completely obscured for novices.

Synonyms

cryptic, esoteric, incomprehensible, obscure, recondite

Examples of usage

  • The professor's lecture on quantum physics was so abstruse that many students struggled to follow.
  • Her abstruse writing style made the novel difficult for the average reader to enjoy.
  • The researchers published their findings in an abstruse journal, limiting their audience.
  • Abstruse philosophical texts often require careful analysis to fully appreciate their meaning.

Translations

Translations of the word "abstruse" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น abstruso

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เค…เคœเฅเคžเคพเคค

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช abstrus

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ abstrus

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะฝะตะทั€ะพะทัƒะผั–ะปะธะน

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ abstrakcyjny

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ้›ฃ่งฃใช

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท abstrus

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ abstruso

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท abstrakt

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ๋‚œํ•ดํ•œ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุบุงู…ุถ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ abstraktnรญ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ abstraktnรฝ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ๆ™ฆๆถฉ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ abstrusen

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ dulin

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ั‚าฏัั–ะฝั–ะบัั–ะท

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒแƒ‘แƒกแƒขแƒ แƒแƒฅแƒขแƒฃแƒšแƒ˜

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ abstrakt

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ abstruso

Etymology

The word 'abstruse' originates from the Latin 'abstrusus,' meaning 'hidden, concealed,' which is a combination of 'ab' (from) and 'trudere' (to push). This etymology reflects the word's essence, describing something that is not easily accessible or clear. First recorded in English around the early 17th century, 'abstruse' initially described concepts that were obscured from view or comprehension. Over time, its usage expanded to encompass not just physical concealment but also intellectual complexity. The term has been favored in academic and literary circles, particularly to describe dense texts or challenging theories. As academia evolved, so too did the application of the termโ€”now often found in critiques of philosophical works, advanced scientific literature, and any discourse characterized by intricate or convoluted reasoning.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #21,742, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.