Arcane vs. Esoteric

Arcaneadjective

Understood by only a few.

Arcaneadjective

(by extension) Obscure, mysterious.

Arcaneadjective

Requiring secret or mysterious knowledge to understand.

Arcaneadjective

Extremely old (e.g. interpretation or knowledge), and possibly irrelevant.

Arcaneadjective

Hidden; secret.

Arcaneadjective

requiring secret or mysterious knowledge;

Esotericadjective

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.

Esotericadjective

Having to do with concepts that are highly theoretical and without obvious practical application; often with mystical or religious connotations.

Esotericadjective

Confidential; private.

Esotericnoun

An esoteric doctrine or treatise; esoteric philosophy.

Esotericnoun

One who believes, or is an initiate, in esoteric doctrines or rites.

Esotericadjective

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.

Esotericadjective

Marked by secrecy or privacy; private; select; confidential; as, an esoteric purpose; an esoteric meeting.

Esotericnoun

An esoteric doctrine or treatise; esoteric philosophy; esoterics.

Esotericadjective

confined to and understandable by only an enlightened inner circle;