Definition of "exoteric"

In one of his works he has ascribed to [Immanuel] Kant the foppery of an exoteric, and an esoteric doctrine; and that upon grounds wholly untenable.

1823, “Letters to a Young Man whose Education has been Neglected. Letter V.”, in Letters to a Young Man whose Education has been Neglected; and Other Papers (De Quincey’s Works; XIV), London: James Hogg & Sons, published 1860, page 91

Again, it is folly to belittle the significance of the canonical prayer — or exoteric rites in general — out of some presumptuous notion of esoterism.

2007, Reza Shah-Kazemi, “Frithjof Schuon and Prayer”, in Martin Lings, editor, The Underlying Religion‎, page 301

The grouping together of folk and elite might be termed relatively "esoteric", in contrast to the more "exoteric" popular forms.

1977 October, Gaynor Jones, Jay Rahn, “Definitions of Popular Music: Recycled”, in Journal of Aesthetic Education, volume 11, number 4, page 81

Such, from sad personal experience and credited prevailing rumor, is the exoteric public conviction about these sublime establishments in Downing Street and the neighborhood, the esoteric mysteries of which are indeed still held sacred by the initiated, but believed by the world to be mere Dalai-Lama pills, manufactured let not refined lips hint how, and quite un-salvatory to mankind.

1850, Thomas Carlyle, “Downing Street”, in Latter-Day Pamphlets‎, page 7

[…] this motive appears to have been always exoteric, namely, a love of order and tranquility, or an unwillingness to give unnecessary offence.

1790, William Paley, Horae Paulinae‎, published 1796, page 188