arcanum

[ ahr-key-nuhm ]

noun,plural ar·ca·na [ahr-key-nuh]. /ɑrˈkeɪ nə/.
  1. Often arcana . secret or arcane knowledge, acquired or understood by only a few: If you enjoy the arcana of early baseball, this book is for you.

  2. a supposed great secret of nature that the alchemists sought to discover.

  1. a secret and powerful remedy; elixir.

Origin of arcanum

1
First recorded in 1590–1600; from Latin, neuter (used as noun) of arcānus arcane

Words Nearby arcanum

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use arcanum in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for arcanum

arcanum

/ (ɑːˈkeɪnəm) /


nounplural -na (-nə)
  1. (sometimes plural) a profound secret or mystery known only to initiates

  2. a secret of nature sought by alchemists

Origin of arcanum

1
C16: from Latin; see arcane

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012