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Difficult to understand; obscure.
synonyms:enigmaticrecondite
The word 'abstruse' comes from the Latin 'abstrusus', which is the past participle of 'abstruere', meaning 'to hide, conceal'. It entered the English language in the early 17th century, retaining the sense of something that is not easily grasped.
This word is often used in academic, philosophical, or literary contexts, where complex ideas and theories are discussed.
While 'abstruse' is not commonly used in everyday conversation, it appears frequently in scholarly articles and discussions about complex subjects.
The professor's lecture on quantum mechanics was so abstruse that many students struggled to keep up.
His abstruse poetry often leaves readers pondering its deeper meanings.
The book is filled with abstruse references that require a significant amount of background knowledge to fully appreciate.
The word 'abstruse' might sound as complex as its meaning suggests, but it's quite a fascinating term to explore! It originates from Latin, implying something that is hidden or concealed, much like the challenging concepts it describes. Often found in the realms of academia or literature, 'abstruse' is perfect for those moments when you encounter ideas that are just a bit too deep for casual conversation. So, the next time you stumble upon a perplexing theory or a complex poem, you can confidently label it as 'abstruse'!