ar·ca·num (är-k  n m)n. pl. ar·ca·na (-n ) or ar·ca·nums 1. A deep secret; a mystery. 2. often arcana Specialized knowledge or detail that is mysterious to the average person: "knows the arcana of police procedure and the intricacies of litigation" (George F. Will). 3. A secret essence or remedy; an elixir. [Latin arc num, from neuter of arcnus, secret; see arcane.] |
arcanum [ɑːˈkeɪnəm]
n pl -na [-nə]
1. (sometimes plural) a profound secret or mystery known only to initiates
2. (Chemistry / Alchemy) a secret of nature sought by alchemists
[from Latin; see arcane]
arcanum
a secret or mystery; carefully hidden knowledge. See also alchemy. — arcana, n. pi.
See also: Knowledgethe secret of life; a great elixir or remedy sought by the alchemists. See also knowledge.
See also: Alchemy
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
| Noun | 1. | arcanum - information known only to a special group; "the secret of Cajun cooking" info, information - a message received and understood esoterica - secrets known only to an initiated minority cabala, cabbala, cabbalah, kabala, kabbala, kabbalah, qabala, qabalah - an esoteric or occult matter resembling the Kabbalah that is traditionally secret countersign, password, watchword, parole, word - a secret word or phrase known only to a restricted group; "he forgot the password" |
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