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Abstruseness: meaning, definitions and examples

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abstruseness

 

[əbˈstruːsnəs ]

Definition

Context #1 | Noun

difficult concept

The quality of being abstruse or difficult to understand. It refers to something that is obscure, esoteric, or complex in nature.

Synonyms

complexity, difficulty, obscurity.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
abstruseness

This is a duplicate entry, please refer to the previous definition.
obscurity

Used to describe something that is not well known or is hidden from understanding, often because it lacks clarity. Can have a slightly negative connotation when used to describe writing or explanations.

  • The poem's obscurity made it hard for many to appreciate its beauty
  • Many ancient texts remain shrouded in obscurity due to the lack of documentation
complexity

Used in a variety of scenarios to describe systems, problems, or ideas that have many interrelated parts and are not easy to solve or understand. Common in both technical and everyday contexts.

  • The complexity of the new software system is astounding
  • Due to the complexity of the situation, we need a multi-disciplinary approach
difficulty

Refers to something that requires a lot of effort or skill to accomplish. Often used in everyday conversations to describe tasks, challenges, or obstacles.

  • He faced a lot of difficulty in completing the project on time
  • The test was known for its difficulty and many students struggled

Examples of usage

  • His abstruseness in explaining quantum physics left the students perplexed.
  • The abstruseness of the ancient text required a specialized translator.
  • The abstruseness of the philosophical concept made it challenging for beginners to grasp.
  • The abstruseness of the legal jargon made the contract hard to decipher.
  • Her abstruseness in discussing the topic alienated some of the audience.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word 'abstruseness' comes from the Latin word 'abstrusus', meaning 'hidden' or 'concealed'.
  • Its components include 'ab-', meaning 'away from', and 'trudere', meaning 'to thrust', suggesting something that is pushed away from common understanding.
  • First recorded use in English was in the 17th century, marking its entry into the academic and intellectual discourse.

Literature

  • Many philosophers and writers, like Hegel and Kant, have been criticized for the abstruseness of their texts, making their ideas seem unreachable for many readers.
  • Abstruseness is often a stylistic choice in poetry and literature, where authors may use complex language to evoke deeper meanings.
  • In modern literature, some authors intentionally write in an abstruse style to challenge readers' perceptions and encourage critical thinking.

Psychology

  • Cognitive load theory suggests that when something is too abstruse, it can overwhelm our mental capacities and hinder learning.
  • Research indicates that abstract concepts can create barriers to understanding due to varying levels of prior knowledge among individuals.
  • Understanding abstruse concepts often requires scaffolding—building knowledge step by step—not just providing information all at once.

Pop Culture

  • Films and TV shows sometimes use abstruse dialogue to create intrigue or to develop complex characters, leaving the audience guessing.
  • Certain modern art pieces can be considered abstruse, prompting viewers to grapple with hidden meanings and interpretations.
  • Some video games feature complexe puzzles that embody the concept of abstruseness, requiring players to think critically and creatively to progress.

Education

  • Teachers often strive to break down abstruse ideas into more manageable parts to facilitate student understanding.
  • Various learning styles affects how students perceive complexity; what is abstruse for one learner might be clear to another with a different approach.
  • Educational materials are increasingly designed to reduce abstruseness by using visual aids and simplified language.

Translations

Translations of the word "abstruseness" in other languages:

🇵🇹 abstrusidade

🇮🇳 कठिनता

🇩🇪 Abstrusität

🇮🇩 kesamaran

🇺🇦 абстрактність

🇵🇱 zawiłość

🇯🇵 難解さ (なんかいさ)

🇫🇷 abstrusité

🇪🇸 abstrusidad

🇹🇷 anlaşılmazlık

🇰🇷 난해함

🇸🇦 غموض

🇨🇿 nesrozumitelnost

🇸🇰 nezrozumiteľnosť

🇨🇳 深奥

🇸🇮 abstraktnost

🇮🇸 flækjustig

🇰🇿 түсініксіздік

🇬🇪 გაურკვევლობა

🇦🇿 anlaşılmazlıq

🇲🇽 abstrusidad

Word Frequency Rank

At position #40,699, this word is among the less frequently used terms in English. While interesting to know, it's not crucial for most English learners unless needed for specific purposes.