arcane
[ ahr-keyn ]
/ ɑrˈkeɪn /
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adjective
known or understood by very few; mysterious; secret; obscure; esoteric: She knew a lot about Sanskrit grammar and other arcane matters.
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Question 1 of 7
Let’s start with some etymology: What are the origins of the typographical word “bracket”?
First appeared around 1750, and is related to the French word “braguette” for the name of codpiece armor.
First appeared in 1610, based on the French word “baguette” for the long loaf of bread.
First appeared in 1555, and is related to the French word “raquette” for a netted bat.
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Origin of arcane
1540–50; (<Middle French ) <Latin arcānus, equivalent to arc(ēre) to shut up, keep (derivative of arca a chest, box) + -ānus-an
Words nearby arcane
Arcadian, Arcadic, Arcado-Cyprian, Arcady, arcana, arcane, arcanist, arcanum, arcanum arcanorum, Arcaro, Arcas
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Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
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British Dictionary definitions for arcane
arcane
/ (ɑːˈkeɪn) /
adjective
requiring secret knowledge to be understood; mysterious; esoteric
Derived forms of arcane
arcanely, adverbarcaneness, nounWord Origin for arcane
C16: from Latin arcānus secret, hidden, from arcēre to shut up, keep safe
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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