arcanum

American  

[ahr-key-nuhm] / ɑrˈkeɪ nəm /

noun

plural

arcana

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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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

There are many illustrations which might be given of “blood-evocation” among ancient pagans who regarded blood as the great arcanum of nature.

From The Eliminator; or, Skeleton Keys to Sacerdotal Secrets by Westbrook, Richard B.

Her voice was an expression of the high arcanum that he had glimpsed in her eyes.

From Caravans By Night A Romance of India by Hervey, Harry

Let all creation read the patent facts, behind them still remains the inviolate, sacred arcanum, and before it stands sentinel Silence, and around it are walls of fire.

From The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 13, No. 77, March, 1864 by Various

There is, to be sure, an arcanum of prosodic theory which is the province of specialists.

From The Principles of English Versification by Baum, Paull Franklin