English vocabulary · C1
Arcane
/ɑːrˈkeɪn/ · adj.
It means secret and mysterious, known only to a very small number of people. Most people cannot understand it.
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Example sentences
- The professor spoke in arcane terms no student could follow.
- Ancient arcane symbols covered the stone wall.
Word origin and roots
from Latin
- arc — chest (from Latin)
Synonyms and nuances
- MYSTERIOUS (something is unknown and intriguing)
- OBSCURE (something is little-known or hard to find)
- CRYPTIC (meaning is deliberately hidden)
Words with the same root
arca — chest
- ark — a large chest or vessel kept safe from the outside world
Lesson notes
Arcane. It means secret and mysterious, known only to a very small number of people. Most people cannot understand it.
Similar words are mysterious, obscure, and cryptic. Use arcane when knowledge is so rare that almost no one can understand it.
The professor spoke in arcane terms no student could follow. Ancient arcane symbols covered the stone wall.
From Latin. Arc means chest. A chest that is locked shut, hiding what is inside. That is arcane.