arcane

[ ahr-keyn ]

adjective

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

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

arcane

/ ɑːˈkeɪn /

adjective

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

Derived Forms

• arˈcanely, adverb
• arˈcaneness, noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of arcane¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of arcane¹

C16: from Latin arcānus secret, hidden, from arcēre to shut up, keep safe

Example Sentences

The practice of including recent art in historical exhibitions, an increasingly common art museum schtick, means to make supposedly arcane subjects relevant and timely by suggesting that living artists still engage those themes.

From Los Angeles Times

Meanwhile, in Justice Brinkema’s courtroom, the arcane process that governs advertising technology could make the DoJ's attempts to prove its case an uphill climb.

From BBC

On one level, his skill is to see in an arcane and complex set of technical regulations the secrets of what is possible to unlock the most performance.

From BBC

Admittedly arcane topics for a pair of Russian spooks.

From Los Angeles Times

“Especially with elections being decided in many cases by narrow margins and through complex, arcane systems like the electoral college, these deepfake-fueled lies can have devastating real world consequences.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• esoteric
• impenetrable