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Definition of arcane

arcane

/ɑːrˈkeɪn/
ar · cane
Adverb:arcanely
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arcane Lexical Profile

arcane Game Scores & Validity

• adjective

1

Understood by few; mysterious, secret, or requiring specialized knowledge.

Example

"The professor spent decades deciphering the arcane rules of ancient Mesopotamian taxation."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Rhymes for arcane

• Nearby Words

arc
arcade
arcadia
arcane
arch
archaeological
archaeologist

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed in the mid-16th century from Latin arcanus ('secret, mysterious'), which derives from the verb arcere ('to shut up, enclose') and is closely related to arca ('chest, box').

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Arcane. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/arcane
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