Liberal Dictionary English Dictionary
[ad_1] adjective
- known or understood by very few; mysterious; secret; obscure; esoteric: She knew a lot about Sanskrit grammar and other arcane matters.
adjective
- requiring secret knowledge to be understood; mysterious; esoteric
1540s, from Latin arcanus “secret, hidden, private, concealed,” from arcere “close up, enclose, contain,” from arca “chest, box, place for safe-keeping,” from PIE *ark- “to hold, contain, guard” (cf. Greek arkos “defense,” arkein “to ward off;” Armenian argel “obstacle;” Lithuanian raktas “key,” rakinti “to shut, lock”).