Exploring the Etymology and Nuance of 'Abstruse'

In this episode, Peter Sokolowski from Merriam-Webster provides a detailed exploration of the word "abstruse." Defined as an adjective used to describe something that is "hard to understand," the term serves as a focal point for understanding how language evolves from its Latin roots to modern critical usage.

Contextual Usage in Modern Criticism

To illustrate the practical application of the term, Sokolowski references a piece by Ben Cardout from Pitchfork. In the context of music criticism, Cardout describes an EP’s lyrics as "suitably abstruse." The critique highlights that while a title like Marry Me, Maya might sound "forthright in its intentions," the actual content of the song relies on "cryptic references and obfuscation." This creates an experience for the listener that is described as "fascinating and impassioned," yet "fundamentally obscure." This example effectively demonstrates how "abstruse" is employed to characterize works of art that intentionally withhold clarity, inviting the audience to peek into a "private conversation."

The Latin Roots: The 'Trudere' Connection

Sokolowski transitions into a fascinating etymological breakdown, tracing the lineage of "abstruse" back to the Latin verb trudere, which means "to push or to thrust." He lists several Latin verbs derived from this root, including extrudere, intrudere, obtrudere, and protrudere. The lesson notes that by removing the last two letters of these Latin terms, one can identify their English descendants, all of which retain the core concept of pushing or thrusting.

Evolution and Survival of the Term

The word "abstruse" is specifically linked to the Latin offspring abstrudere, which originally meant "to conceal." Historically, this gave rise to the 17th-century English word "abstrud," meaning to "thrust away," though Sokolowski notes that this specific iteration has "fallen out of use."

However, the descendant that did survive is "abstrus," which eventually evolved into our modern "abstruse." This adjective directly mirrors its Latin parent, abstrusus, which carries the primary meaning of "concealed."

Semantic Comparisons

To help listeners cement the meaning, Sokolowski draws a comparison to the word "obtuse." While the two words sound similar, they share a thematic connection to cognitive difficulty. Just as "obtuse" can imply a lack of sharpness, "abstruse" describes something that possesses a "concealed meaning," making it difficult for the observer to grasp the underlying truth or intent. By understanding that "abstruse" implies a sense of being "thrust away" or hidden, one can better appreciate the depth and complexity inherent in the word's usage today.