[f. Gr. ἐσωτέρ-ω (see ESOTERIC) + -ISM.] The holding of esoteric doctrines; the habit of regarding knowledge as the property of the few.
1835. Maurice, Lett. to Acland, 12 March, in Life (1884), I. 171. A dangerous tendency [in Alex. Knox] to esoterism and exclusiveness.
1871. Farrar, Witn. Hist., ii. 62. Its perfect openness rebuked their esoterism.
1884. Syd. Soc. Lex., Esoterism, medical. Simon’s term for the mystery which some medical men think themselves bound to adopt towards their patients by reason of their prejudices and ignorance.
