6 November 2014
abstruse
[ab-stroos]
adjective
1. hard to understand; recondite; esoteric:
abstruse theories.
2. Obsolete. secret; hidden.
Origin
Latin
1590-1600; < Latin abstrūsus thrust away, concealed (past participle of abstrūdere), equivalent to abs- abs- + trūd- thrust + -tus past participle suffix
Related forms
abstrusely, adverb
abstruseness, noun
Can be confused
abstruse, obtuse.
Synonyms
1. incomprehensible, unfathomable, arcane.
Antonyms
1. clear, uncomplicated, simple; obvious.
Dictionary.com
Examples from the web for abstruse
– Unfortunately, it is sometimes difficult for the economic operators to comprehend the abstruse provisions correctly.
– 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.
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Today’s quotes
Hats off to Sir Charles Kingsford Smith, a great aviator and a man. He has just done another great service for Australia in blazing his air trail over the Pacific. Other men who serve Australia receive big salaries, why not “Smithy”? Better to pin a flower on his coat now than to send him a wreath when he has gone.
– Letter signed as ‘Cheerio’, published in the Courier Mail, 22 November 1934.
On this day
6 November 1985 – Iran-Contra Affair revealed in the media. U.S. President Ronald Reagan exposed as having sold arms to Iran in order to secure the release of Americans being held by an Iranian group and to also help the U.S. to continue illicitly funding the Nicaraguan Contras after Congress had banned further funding arrangements. The Contras were rebels who were committing human rights violations while opposing the ruling Marxist Sandinista regime. Numerous high-ranking members of the Reagan government were indicted, including Casper Weinberger (Secretary of Defence, later pardoned by President George H.W. Bush), William Casey (Head of CIA), Robert McFarlane (National Security Advisor), Oliver North (member of the National Security Council), and John Poindexter (National Security Advisor).
6 November 1999 – Australians vote to keep the Queen as head of state instead of establishing a republic.