It’s not often that I’m completely stumped by an NYT crossword, but today’s “esoteric” clue was about as challenging as word games get. This clue is from the August 16th NYT Mini Crossword puzzle, and if you don’t know what esoteric means and are as stuck as I was, use the hints (and answers) below to help.

The answer to the clue "Esoteric" is "ARCANE". Esoteric is an older word used to describe knowledge that is limited to a small group or is aided in being understood or designed for the specially initiated. Arcane, which is a synonym of esoteric, means something known only to a few and often shrouded in mystery. After today, we have at least two more interesting words to add to our vocabulary.

This was definitely one I had to solve to understand the whole riddle. Even then I didn't really understand how "arcane" fit in, since I didn't know what esoteric meant until I looked both words up. If you were as confused as I was, this clue would be impossible; I'd give it a five out of five for difficulty.

If you finished the August 16 NYT Mini Crossword puzzle, why not try the mini crosswords from the LA Times and the Washington Post? Or, for something a little different, try the word games from the NYT, Strands, or Spelling Bee.