esoterismn.
/ɛˈsɒtərɪz(ə)m//iːˈsəʊtərɪz(ə)m/ The holding of esoteric doctrines; the habit of regarding knowledge as the property of the few.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > secrecy, concealment > a profound secret, mystery > [noun] > secret doctrine or art > adherence to
esoterism1835
esotericism1846
1835 Maurice Let. to Acland 12 Mar. in Life (1884) I. 171 A dangerous tendency [in Alex. Knox] to esoterism and exclusiveness.
1871 F. W. Farrar Witness of Hist. ii. 62 Its perfect openness rebuked their esoterism.
1884 New Sydenham Soc. Lexicon Esoterism, medical. Simon's term for the mystery which some medical men think themselves bound to adopt towards their patients by reason of their prejudices and ignorance.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1891; most recently modified version published online March 2018).
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n.1835