Arcane

Pronunciation

• Rhymes: -eɪn

Origin

From Latin arcanus ("hidden, secret"), from arcere ("to shut up"), arca ("a chest").

Full definition of arcane

Adjective

1. Understood by only a few; obscure; requiring secret or mysterious knowledge.
• 1997: Chris Horrocks, Introducing Foucault, page 67, The Renaissance Episteme (Totem Books, Icon Books; ISBN 1840460865)A “signature” was placed on all things by God to indicate their affinities — but it was hidden, hence the search for arcane knowledge. Knowing was guessing and interpreting, not observing or demonstrating.

Synonyms

• esoteric
• recondite
• clandestine

Antonyms

• mundane

Related terms

• arcana