arcanum

American  

[ahr-key-nuhm] / ɑrˈkeɪ nəm /

noun

plural

arcana

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.

3. a secret and powerful remedy; elixir.

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arcanum British  

/ ɑːˈkeɪnəm /

noun

1. (sometimes plural) a profound secret or mystery known only to initiates

2. a secret of nature sought by alchemists

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Etymology

Origin of arcanum

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

Example Sentences

Of course, rather than the arcanum of regulation, what most Americans worry about today are economic growth, jobs, and the federal debt.

From Forbes • Feb. 14, 2012

She introduces us at once to the Tsar and the innermost arcanum of his Court.

From Lola Montez An Adventuress of the 'Forties by d'Auvergne, Edmund B.

And he caught his breath, for he knew he stood in the midst of the jewels for which he had penetrated into the forbidden arcanum of Asia.

From Caravans By Night A Romance of India by Hervey, Harry

The grand arcanum 's not for men to see all; My music has some mystic diapasons; And there is much which could not be appreciated In any manner by the uninitiated.

From Don Juan by Byron, George Gordon Byron, Baron

Now, we have a plan of our own to propose, in which, we think, resides the grand arcanum of social regeneration.

From Chambers's Edinburgh Journal, No. 457 Volume 18, New Series, October 2, 1852 by Chambers, William