arcanum

ar·ca·num  (är-knm)

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.

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[Latin arcnum, from neuter of arcnus, secret; see arcane.]

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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]

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ar•ca•num (ɑrˈkeɪ nəm)

n., pl. -na (-nə).

1. a secret accessible only to the few; mystery.

2. a powerful remedy; elixir.

[1590–1600; < Latin, neuter (used as n.) of arcānus arcane]

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arcanum

a secret or mystery; carefully hidden knowledge. See also alchemy. — arcana, n. pi.

See also: Knowledge

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the secret of life; a great elixir or remedy sought by the alchemists. See also knowledge.

See also: Alchemy

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

arcanum - information known only to a special group; "the secret of Cajun cooking" secret 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"