recondite Hear it!

recondite Definition

rec·on·dite (rek′ən dīt′; occas. ri kän′dīt′)

adjective

  1. beyond the grasp of the ordinary mind or understanding; profound; abstruse
  2. dealing with abstruse or difficult subjects
  3. obscure or concealed

Etymology: L reconditus, pp. of recondere, to put back, hide < re-, back + condere, to put together, store up, hide < con-, together + -dere < IE base *dhē-, to put > do

  • recondense
recondite Related Forms
rec′·on·dite′ly adverb rec′·on·dite′·ness noun
recondite Usage Examples

Modifies a noun

  • subject: His accompanying text may not answer every question on this recondite subject.
  • sense: I believe that everybody must regard these as figures under which a recondite sense is concealed " .
  • fact: Ian McEwan's extensive research into his subject failed to uncover these recondite facts.
  • source: Paris is a prodigiously researched narrative, studded with gems of testimony from a host of recondite sources.