This shows grade level based on the word's complexity.
arcane
[ ahr-keyn ]
/ ɑrˈkeɪn /
Save This Word!
This shows grade level based on the word's complexity.
adjective
known or understood by very few; mysterious; secret; obscure; esoteric: She knew a lot about Sanskrit grammar and other arcane matters.
QUIZ
CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?
There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?
Question 1 of 7
Which sentence is correct?
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
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use arcane in a sentence
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
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012