Arcane - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

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SKIP TO CONTENT arcane /ɑrˈkeɪn/ IPA guide

Other forms: arcanely

Something arcane is understood or known by only a few people. Almost everyone knows the basics of baseball, but only an elite few possess the arcane knowledge of its history that marks the true fan.

A near synonym is esoteric, as in "relating to remote information or knowledge." Experts in academic fields often show off the depth of their knowledge by mentioning some arcane and esoteric fact as if it was common for everyone to know. The origin of arcane is Latin arcānus, "secret, closed," from arca, "a chest, box." Arcana (singular arcanum) are pieces of mysterious knowledge or information.

Definitions of arcane

adjective requiring secret or mysterious knowledge “the arcane science of dowsing” synonyms: esoteric confined to and understandable by only an enlightened inner circle

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