arcane

ENEnglish
//ɑɹˈkeɪn//(General American)

Definitions & Usage

adjective
#1

Understood by only a few.

Example: arcane rituals
Example: arcane knowledge
adjective
#2

(by extension) Obscure, mysterious.

Example: arcane origins
Example: arcane details
adjective
#3

Requiring secret or mysterious knowledge to understand.

Example: 1997: Chris Horrocks, Introducing Foucault, page 67, The Renaissance Episteme (Totem Books, Icon Books; →ISBN A “signature” was placed on all things by God to indicate their affinities — but it was hidden, hence the search for arcane knowledge. Knowing was guessing and interpreting, not observing or demonstrating.
adjective
#4

Extremely old (e.g. interpretation or knowledge), and possibly irrelevant.

Example: an arcane law
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