Word of the Day - acroamatic

acroamatic

/ˌakrəʊəˈmatɪk/
adjective
1 rare Of or relating to hearing.
2 Privately communicated by oral teaching to chosen disciples only; esoteric, secret.

Origin
Mid 17th century; earliest use found in Thomas Randolph (d. 1635), poet and
playwright. From post-classical Latin acroamaticus privately
communicated by oral teaching to chosen disciples only, esoteric,
secret, disposed to listen and its etymon Hellenistic Greek ἀκροαματικός
designed for hearing only, delivered orally, esoteric, capable of
listening from ancient Greek ἀκροαματ-, ἀκρόαμα + -ικός.

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The secrets of alchemy were shared, but only in a limited, often acroamatic way. Science, by contrast was designed with publishing in mind.