English

Adjective

arcane ‎(comparative more arcane, superlative most arcane)

1. understood by only a few
2. obscure, mysterious
3. requiring secret or mysterious knowledge to understand.
   • 1997: Chris Horrocks, Introducing Foucault, page 67, The Renaissance Episteme (Totem Books, Icon Books; ISBN 1840460865)

     A “signature” was placed on all things by God to indicate their affinities — but it was hidden, hence the search for arcane knowledge. Knowing was guessing and interpreting, not observing or demonstrating.

Synonyms

• esoteric
• recondite
• clandestine

Antonyms

• mundane

Related terms

• arcana

Translations

References

• arcane in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913
• arcane in The Century Dictionary, The Century Co., New York, 1911
• arcane at OneLook Dictionary Search

French

Adjective

arcane m, f ‎(plural arcanes)

1. arcane, secret, mysterious

Noun

arcane m ‎(plural arcanes)

1. (chiefly in the plural) mysteries, arcanum

Italian

Adjective

arcane f

1. feminine plural of arcano

Anagrams

• arance
• carena
• carnea

Latin

Adjective

arcāne

1. vocative masculine singular of arcānus