Search Result for "abstruse": 
Wordnet 3.0

ADJECTIVE (1)

1. difficult to penetrate; incomprehensible to one of ordinary understanding or knowledge;
- Example: "the professor's lectures were so abstruse that students tended to avoid them"
- Example: "a deep metaphysical theory"
- Example: "some recondite problem in historiography"
[syn: abstruse, deep, recondite]



The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Abstruse \Ab*struse"\, a. [L. abstrusus, p. p. of abstrudere to
   thrust away, conceal; ab, abs + trudere to thrust; cf. F.
   abstrus. See Threat.]
   1. Concealed or hidden out of the way. [Obs.]
      [1913 Webster]

            The eternal eye whose sight discerns
            Abstrusest thoughts.                  --Milton.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. Remote from apprehension; difficult to be comprehended or
      understood; recondite; as, abstruse learning.
      [1913 Webster]

            Profound and abstruse topics.         --Milman.
      [1913 Webster]


WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

abstruse
    adj 1: 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" [syn: abstruse, deep,
           recondite]