Esotericist

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A person dedicated to the intricate exploration of specialized teachings and knowledge that are typically reserved for a select few rather than the general populace
2. A practitioner engaged in the study of obscure and often mystical doctrines that are intended for a limited audience rather than the broad public
3. An individual who delves into complex and arcane systems of thought that are not widely understood or appreciated by most people

Etymology: "Esotericist" is a plain English formation: "esoteric" with the suffix "-ist" added, the same suffix that gives us "pianist" or "scientist". "Esoteric" itself comes from Greek "esōterikos", meaning "inner" or "inside", built on "esō", "within", so the root idea is teaching kept within a circle of insiders rather than given to everyone. The suffix has a longer path than the base word. The "-ist" ending descends from the Greek "-istēs", which marked a person who practises or follows something, and it reached English through Latin "-ista" and Old French "-iste", entering Middle English as "-ist" well before "esoteric" arrived. Adding it to "esoteric" produced a label for the person who pursues such hidden doctrines, which is why the word reads as a job title for a seeker of secret knowledge.

Synonyms: initiated, mystic, occultist, sage, philosopher

Antonyms: novice, layman, amateur, dilettante, ignoramus