Abstruse
[əb'struːs] or [əb'strus]
Definition
(adj.) difficult to penetrate; incomprehensible to one of ordinary understanding or knowledge; 'the professor's lectures were so abstruse that students tended to avoid them'; 'a deep metaphysical theory'; 'some recondite problem in historiography' .
Editor: Marilyn--From WordNet
Definition
(a.) Concealed or hidden out of the way.
(a.) Remote from apprehension; difficult to be comprehended or understood; recondite; as, abstruse learning.
Inputed by Jeff
Synonyms and Synonymous
a. Recondite, occult, profound, hidden, transcendental, obscure, difficult, dark, enigmatical, mysterious, mystic, mystical, high, abstract, abstracted, subtile, refined.
Checker: Mae
Synonyms and Antonyms
SYN:Hidden, recondite, difficult, profound, deep, curious, obscure, mystical,occult, hard, dark
ANT:Patent, popular, superficial, simple, obvious, trite, intelligible, lucid,plain, easy, manifest, clear
Checked by Kenneth
Definition
adj. hidden: remote from apprehension: difficult to be understood.—adv. Abstruse′ly.—ns. Abstruse′ness; Abstrus′ity (Sir T. Browne).
Checked by Joseph
Examples
- This proposition contains two parts, which we shall endeavour to prove as distinctly and clearly, as such abstruse subjects will permit. David Hume. A Treatise of Human Nature.
- An abstruse subject, I should conceive,' said Mr. Pickwick. Charles Dickens. The Pickwick Papers.
- The Golden Dustman seeming to be engaged in some abstruse calculation, Mr Wegg assisted him with the following additional items. Charles Dickens. Our Mutual Friend.
- The effort has been made to avoid technique and abstruse phrases, but some degree of explanation has been absolutely necessary in regard to each group of inventions. Frank Lewis Dyer. Edison, His Life and Inventions.
- But this is principally the case with those ideas which are abstruse and compounded. David Hume. A Treatise of Human Nature.
- For the academic intelligence abstract and abstruse mathematics are tonic and an end in themselves. Walter Libby. An Introduction to the History of Science.
- Though the principles of the banking trade may appear somewhat abstruse, the practice is capable of being reduced to strict rules. Adam Smith. An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations.
- His interest lay in abstruse mathematical problems. Walter Libby. An Introduction to the History of Science.
- But I had no inclination for the law, even in this less abstruse study of it, which my family approved. Jane Austen. Sense and Sensibility.
- I study and get up abstruse No Thoroughfares in the course of the day. Charles Dickens. Our Mutual Friend.
- I saw his astronomical instruments put to strange uses, his globes defaced, his papers covered with abstruse calculations destroyed. Mary Shelley. The Last Man.
- Secretaire, you see, and abstruse set of solid mahogany pigeon-holes, one for every letter of the alphabet. Charles Dickens. Our Mutual Friend.
Typed by Jolin