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Spiritual vs Esoteric - What's the difference?

spiritual | esoteric |

As adjectives the difference between spiritual and esoteric

is that spiritual is of or pertaining to the spirit or the soul while 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 noun spiritual

is a Christian religious song, especially one in an African-American style, or a similar non-religious song.

spiritual

English

Alternative forms

* spirituall, spirytual, spirytuall, spyritual, spyrituall, spyrytual, spyrytuall

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • Of or pertaining to the spirit or the soul.
  • Respect towards ancestors is an essential part of Thai spiritual practice.
  • * Sir Thomas Browne
  • God's law is spiritual ; it is a transcript of the divine nature, and extends its authority to the acts of the soul of man.
  • Of or pertaining to God or a place of worship; sacred.
  • Of or pertaining to spirits; supernatural.
  • Consisting of spirit; not material; incorporeal.
  • a spiritual substance or being
  • * Bible, 1. Corinthians xv. 44
  • It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body.
  • Of or relating to the intellectual and higher endowments of the mind; mental; intellectual.
  • (Christianity) Controlled and inspired by the Holy Spirit; pure; holy.
  • * Bible, Gal. vi. 1
  • If a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual , restore such an one.
  • Not lay or temporal; relating to sacred things; ecclesiastical.
  • the spiritual''' functions of the clergy; lords '''spiritual''' and temporal; a '''spiritual corporation

    Derived terms

    * antispiritual * antispiritualism * antispirituality * spiritual desertion * spiritualism * spiritualist * spirituality * spiritually

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A Christian religious song, especially one in an African-American style, or a similar non-religious song.
  • Any spiritual function, office, or affair.
  • He assigns supremacy to the pope in spirituals , and to the emperor in temporals. — Lowell.

    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

    See also

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

    Anagrams

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