arcane
Use Arcane in a sentence
adjective
known or understood by very few; mysterious; secret; obscure; esoteric: She knew a lot about Sanskrit grammar and other arcane matters.
Origin:
1540–50; (< Middle French) < Latin arcānus, equivalent to arc(ēre) to shut up, keep (derivative of arca a chest, box) + -ānus -an
1540–50; (< Middle French) < Latin arcānus, equivalent to arc(ēre) to shut up, keep (derivative of arca a chest, box) + -ānus -an
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source
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Link To arcane
Collins
World English Dictionary
arcane (ɑːˈkeɪn) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —adj | |
| requiring secret knowledge to be understood; mysterious; esoteric | |
| [C16: from Latin arcānus secret, hidden, from arcēre to shut up, keep safe] | |
| ar'canely | |
| —adv | |
| ar'caneness | |
| —n | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
00:10
Arcane
is a GRE word you need to know.
So is depreciate. Does it mean:
| to reduce the purchasing value of |
| Showing satisfaction |
Etymonline
Word Origin & History
arcane
1540s, from L. arcanus "secret, hidden," from arcere "close up, enclose, contain," from arca "chest, box," from PIE *ark- "to hold, contain, guard" (cf. Gk. arkos "defense," arkein "to ward off;" Arm. argel "obstacle;" Lith. raktas "key," rakinti "to shut, lock").
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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Example sentences
He immersed himself in their arcane biology, and he interviewed numerous scientists and security experts.
The illustrations are a mix of overfamiliar and refreshingly arcane.
Everyone will learn a lot about the arcane art of scrimshaw.
Once you've grasped that idea, one aspect of the mystery of development isn't particularly arcane.
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