Nearby Words
adjective
1.
hard to understand; recondite; esoteric: abstruse theories.
2.
Obsolete. secret; hidden.
Origin:
1590–1600; < Latin abstrūsus thrust away, concealed (past participle of abstrūdere), equivalent to abs- abs- + trūd- thrust + -tus past participle suffix
1590–1600; < Latin abstrūsus thrust away, concealed (past participle of abstrūdere), equivalent to abs- abs- + trūd- thrust + -tus past participle suffix
Related forms
ab·struse·ly, adverb
ab·struse·ness, noun
Synonyms
1. incomprehensible, unfathomable, arcane.
1. incomprehensible, unfathomable, arcane.
Antonyms
1. clear, uncomplicated, simple; obvious.
1. clear, uncomplicated, simple; obvious.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Abstruse
is an SAT word you need to know.
So is callow. Does it mean:
| immature |
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Example Sentences
- If your initial topic seems abstruse, consider the motivation that led you to it in the first place.
- It's often stimulating, but too abstruse for the average reader.
- Despite its success, readers confessed to difficulty in grasping its more abstruse concepts.
Collins
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History
abstruse
c.1600, from L. abstrusus, pp. of abstrudere "conceal," lit. "to thrust away," from ab- "away" + trudere "to thrust, push" (see extrusion).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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