Abstruse is a word that is often spelled incorrectly due to its unusual combination of sounds. The IPA phonetic transcription for this word is /əbˈstrus/. The "a" is pronounced with a neutral sound, while the "b" is pronounced as usual. The "t" and "r" sounds are blended together to create a trill sound like in "tree", and the final "se" is pronounced like "s". Despite its tricky spelling, abstruse is an important word that means difficult to understand or obscure.
Abstruse is an adjective that describes something that is difficult to understand due to its complex, obscure, or abstract nature. It refers to ideas, concepts, or information that is not readily accessible or easily comprehensible to the average person. When something is described as abstruse, it suggests that it requires a high level of intellectual effort or advanced knowledge to be fully grasped.
An abstruse topic or theory may involve intricate or convoluted reasoning, intricate language, or complex technical terminology that makes it challenging for individuals unfamiliar with the subject matter to decipher. Abstruse can also be used to describe literary works, such as poetry or philosophical texts, that employ elaborate, enigmatic, or symbolic language, often requiring extensive analysis and interpretation.
Abstruseness may stem from the inherent complexity of a subject matter, intentional obscurity by the author or speaker, or the inherent limitations of human comprehension. It is often used in academic or intellectual contexts to discuss intricate scientific theories, philosophical debates, or highly specialized fields of study. However, it is important to note that something being abstruse does not necessarily imply that it lacks value or importance. It simply suggests that a significant degree of effort and concentration may be required to grasp its underlying meaning or significance.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "abstruse" originated in the late 16th century and is derived from the Latin word "abstrusus", which means "hidden" or "concealed". It stems from the combination of the prefix "ab-" (meaning "away" or "from") and "trudere" (meaning "to thrust" or "to push"). Thus, "abstruse" suggests something that is difficult to apprehend, comprehend, or penetrate due to its complex or obscure nature.