arcane

American  

[ahr-keyn] / ɑrˈkeɪn /

adjective

1. known or understood by very few; mysterious; secret; obscure; esoteric.

   She knew a lot about Sanskrit grammar and other arcane matters.

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arcane British  

/ ɑːˈkeɪn /

adjective

1. requiring secret knowledge to be understood; mysterious; esoteric

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Other Word Forms

• arcanely adverb
• arcaneness noun

Etymology

Origin of arcane

First recorded in 1540–50; from Middle French, from Latin arcānus, from arc(ēre) “to enclose, restrain, ward off” (derivative of arca “box, chest, coffer”) + -ānus -an

Example Sentences

Sometimes members of the audience would pass out while he tirelessly ranted about some arcane subject that mattered little, but he would draw applause nonetheless.

From Salon

This included rare discs of world music, arcane complete series of early classical music, Ravi Shankar playing Indian ragas, Led Zeppelin and everything in between.

From Los Angeles Times

I am thankful for all the arcane references to pop culture I have at my disposal to frame the workings of a true coward like Hegseth.

From Salon

Carr has called those limits “arcane” and “artificial,” and has argued that they put local station owners at a disadvantage compared with companies like Netflix Inc.

From MarketWatch

Carr has called those limits “arcane” and “artificial,” and has argued that they put local station owners at a disadvantage compared with companies like Netflix Inc.

From MarketWatch

Related Words

• esoteric
• impenetrable