Logo
dictionary thesaurus

arcanum

noun
ar·​ca·​num | \ är-ˈkā-nəm How to pronounce arcanum (audio) \
plural arcana\ -​nə How to pronounce arcana (audio) \

Definition of arcanum

1 : mysterious or specialized knowledge, language, or information accessible or possessed only by the initiate —usually used in plural
2 : elixir sense 1
Did You Know? Example Sentences Learn More about arcanum

Keep scrolling for more

Did You Know?

The word arcanum (pluralized as "arcana") came from Latin arcanus, meaning "secret," and entered English as the Dark Ages gave way to the Renaissance. It was often used in reference to the mysteries of the physical and spiritual worlds, subjects of heavy scrutiny and rethinking at the time. Alchemists were commonly said to be pursuing the arcana of nature, and they sought elixirs for changing base metals into gold, prolonging life, and curing disease. The frequent association of the word with the alchemists' elixirs influenced the use of "arcanum" for "elixir."

Examples of arcanum in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

 What became clear is that even publishers, agents, and retailers, who’ve rightly been focused on signing writers and selling books, didn’t appreciate how much the arcana of the business would matter in the move to digital platforms. — Tim Carmody, WIRED, "Why Metadata Matters for the Future of E-Books," 3 Aug. 2010

First Known Use of arcanum

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for arcanum

Latin, from neuter of arcanus secret, from arca chest — more at ark

Keep scrolling for more

WORD OF THE DAY

litmus test

play

See Definitions and Examples

Get Word of the Day daily email!