The word "arcane" is spelled with the letters A-R-C-A-N-E. In IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) transcription, it is pronounced /ɑrˈkeɪn/. The first sound, /ɑr/, is a diphthong, made up of the vowel sounds /ɑ/ (like in "car") and /r/ (a consonant sound made with the tongue vibrating against the roof of the mouth). The second part, /keɪn/, is a combination of the consonant /k/ and the diphthong /eɪ/ (like in "day"). Together, it sounds like "ar-kayn."
Arcane is an adjective used to describe something mysterious, secret, or obscure, often implying knowledge that is difficult to understand or known only by a select few. It refers to concepts, practices, or information that is hidden or less known to the general public, typically due to its complex nature or recent discovery. Arcane knowledge or ideas may be considered esoteric, enigmatic, or veiled, requiring specialized expertise or insight to comprehend fully.
When applied to a subject or field of study, arcane often suggests a sense of antiquity, pertaining to knowledge or practices that date back to ancient times. The term often implies an inherent intricacy or complexity that is not easily grasped by those unfamiliar with the topic at hand. Therefore, arcane information or ideas may be intentionally kept guarded or restricted to a smaller group of individuals possessing the necessary skills or experience to comprehend them.
The notion of arcane can extend beyond academic domains. It can be used to describe cryptic rituals, mystical beliefs, occult practices, or even certain technical processes. In a broader sense, it may be applied to various aspects of culture, such as arcane traditions, obscure customs, or little-known historical facts.
Overall, arcane refers to concepts, knowledge, or practices that are hidden, mysterious, complex, or difficult to access, emphasizing their less-known or secretive nature.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "arcane" derives from the Latin word "arcanus", which means "hidden, secret, or private". The Latin term itself comes from the verb "arceo", meaning "to shut up, enclose, or confine". "Arcane" entered the English language in the 16th century via French, where it retained its original meaning of something obscure, mysterious, or known only to a few.