arcanum

American  

[ahr-kay-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

Noun Inflected Forms

• arcana
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of arcanum

First recorded in 1590–1600; from Latin, neuter (used as noun) of arcānus arcane ( def. )

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

arcanum arcana

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

She introduces us at once to the Tsar and the innermost arcanum of his Court.

From Lola Montez An Adventuress of the 'Forties by Edmund B. d'Auvergne

To Charter, standing afar-off, came the simple but tremendous revelation, just a glimpse into that lovely arcanum which mere man may never know in full....

From She Buildeth Her House by William Wistar Comfort

Now, we have a plan of our own to propose, in which, we think, resides the grand arcanum of social regeneration.

From Chambers's Edinburgh Journal, No. 457 Volume 18, New Series, October 2, 1852 by William Chambers

Trent, watching her, felt that at last he had explored to the inner shrine of that arcanum in her eyes.

From Caravans By Night A Romance of India by Harry Hervey

The idea that this has to be weighted down with law-review articles and footnotes and arcana about the history of a three-part test is a way of obfuscating, right?

From Slate ● Aug. 10, 2026

It was a niche Petrou dominated with her encyclopedic knowledge and astonishing facility with banking-world arcana.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 12, 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

It would be easier if I could use my arcana on myself, even though Du Barry says it's impossible.

From "The Belles" by Dhonielle Clayton

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