arcana

American  

[ahr-key-nuh] / ɑrˈkeɪ nə /

noun

1. arcanum.

2. (used with a singular or plural verb) either of the two types of tarot cards in a deck, the minor arcana and the major arcana.

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arcana British  

/ ɑːˈkeɪnə, -ˈkɑː- /

noun

1. either of the two divisions (the minor arcana and the major arcana ) of a pack of tarot cards

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Etymology

Origin of arcana

First recorded in 1600–10; from Latin; neuter plural (used as a noun) of arcanum ( def. )

Example Sentences

Like those works, “Reflections on Cinematography” offers enough technical arcana to keep colleagues in the profession and students of the craft enraptured.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 13, 2026

The point is that they aren’t arcana that’s only known to the most devoted of Boss fans, so the dissonance between what the audience knows and what they’re being told will have an impact.

From Salon • Oct. 28, 2025

His novels move with kinetic energy, his plots are intricate puzzles shrouded in religious iconography, ancient cryptography and other obscure arcana.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 9, 2025

The rules of the House are a thicket of complexity and arcana that I won’t enter.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 20, 2023

"Her blood is inside you. Her arcana are inside us. She is inside us. We are blessed. We are destined to do the work she could not. We are her vessels."

From "The Belles" by Dhonielle Clayton