acroamatic

[ ak-roh-uh-mat-ik, ak-roh-uh-mat-ik ]

adjective

1. conveyed orally and only to chosen followers; arcane or esoteric:

   As a youth, Alexander the Great was tutored in Aristotle’s lesser-known, acroamatic teachings.

2. relating to an oral method of instruction addressed only to chosen followers, who typically listen without responding or asking questions:

   According to Bacon, the acroamatic method was used with discretion by the ancients.

noun

1. Acroamatics, the private lectures of Aristotle, involving his deeper teachings and delivered only to a chosen few.
2. a piece of instruction that is conveyed orally and only to chosen followers:

   Jesus’ explanation of the parable of the sower was originally an acroamatic offered only to the twelve disciples.

Word History and Origins

Origin of acroamatic¹

First recorded in 1630–40; from Late Latin acroamaticus, from Greek akroamatikós “intended only for hearing, esoteric, secret,” from akróama “anything heard with pleasure; a piece read, heard, recited, or sung” (derivative of akroá(zesthai), akroâ(sthai) “to hear, listen” + -ōma, passive noun suffix) + -tikós -tic ( def )

Example Sentences

The former investigations were called acroamatic, the latter exoteric.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• arduous
• burdensome
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