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Esoteric vs Sage - What's the difference?

esoteric | sage |

As an adjective esoteric

is 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.

As a verb sage is

first-person singular indicative present form of .

esoteric

English

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • 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.
    • ''The writing in this manual is very esoteric ; I need a degree in engineering just to understand it!
  • Having to do with concepts that are highly theoretical and without obvious practical application; often with mystical or religious connotations.
  • Confidential; private.

    • Synonyms

    * (understood only by a chosen few or an enlightened inner circle) arcane, recondite * cerebral * secretive

    Antonyms

    * exoteric

    Related terms

    * esoterica * esoterically * esotericism * esotericist * esoterism

    See also

    * exoterism * metaphysical * occult * paranormal * supernatural * theoretical

    Anagrams

    *

    sage

    English

    Etymology 1

    From (etyl) sage (11th century), from . The noun meaning "man of profound wisdom" is recorded from circa 1300. Originally applied to the Seven Sages of Greece .

    Adjective

    (er)
  • Wise.
  • * Shakespeare
    • All you sage counsellors, hence!
  • * Milton
    • commanders, who, cloaking their fear under show of sage advice, counselled the general to retreat
  • (obsolete) grave; serious; solemn
  • * Milton
    • [Great bards] in sage and solemn tunes have sung.
    Synonyms
    * sagacious

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A wise person or spiritual teacher; a man or woman of gravity and wisdom, especially, a teacher venerable for years, and of sound judgment and prudence; a grave or stoic philosopher.
  • * 1748 , (David Hume), Enquiries concerning the human understanding and concerning the principles of moral , London: Oxford University Press (1973), ยง 34:
    • We aspire to the magnanimous firmness of the philosophic sage .
    Synonyms
    * deep thinker, egghead, intellectual, pundit
    Derived terms
    * sagely * sageness * sage on the stage * Seven Sages
    Related terms
    * sagacious * sagacity

    See also

    * rishi * maharishi

    Etymology 2

    From (etyl) sauge, from (etyl) salvia, from , see safe .

    Noun

    (-)
  • The plant Salvia officinalis and savory spice produced from it; also planted for ornamental purposes.
    • Synonyms
    * (herb) ramona
    Derived terms
    * sagebush * Sage Derby * sage dog * sage green * sage grouse * sage tea * sage thrasher * wood sage
    See also
    * salvia

    External links

    * (Salvia officinalis) *

    Etymology 3

    .

    Interjection

    (en interjection)
  • (Internet slang)

    • Verb

    (sag)
  • (Internet slang) The act of using the word or option sage in the email field or a checkbox of an imageboard when posting a reply

    • Usage notes

    * This word is specific to imageboards. The original purpose of sage is to not bump a thread if one deems one's own post to be of little value.

    Anagrams

    * English 4chan slang English terms with multiple etymologies ----