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. )

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

Then, farewell; this archway is the entrance that will admit you into your arcanum of usefulness.

From Etidorhpa or the End of Earth. The Strange History of a Mysterious Being and The Account of a Remarkable Journey by Lloyd, John Uri

The real witch-story is very often only a frame, so to speak, the real picture within it being the arcanum of a long scongiurazione or incantation, and what ingredients were used to work the charm. 

From Legends of Florence Collected from the People, First Series by Leland, Charles Godfrey

Without this arcanum one might as well hire the Devil for a preceptor as be one himself, as the daughters of bad mothers prove.

From The Invisible Lodge by Jean Paul

Now, my Lords, the delicacy of the affidavit is no more; the great arcanum of the state is avowed: it is avowed that the government is ours,—that the Nabob is nothing.

From The Works of the Right Honourable Edmund Burke, Vol. 12 (of 12) by Burke, Edmund