arcanum

American  

[ahr-key-nuhm] / ɑrˈkeɪ nəm /

noun

arcana plural

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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Other Word Forms

Inflected Forms

noun

• arcana
  plural

Etymology

Origin of arcanum

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