I. |eksə|terik, -rēk adjective
Etymology: Latin & Greek; Latin exotericus, from Greek exōterikos, literally, external, from exōterō more outside (compar. of exō outside) + -ikos -ic — more at exo-
1.
a. : suitable to be imparted to the public : readily comprehensible
the exoteric doctrine
— compare esoteric
b. : belonging to the outer or less initiate circle
exoteric rites
c. : publicly known : popular
2. : relating to the outside : external , exterior
• ex·o·ter·i·cal·ly -rə̇k(ə)lē, -rēk-, -li adverb
II. noun
( -s )
1. : layman , outsider
2. exoterics plural : doctrines or discourses for the uninstructed or the general public