arcanum

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a secret, mystery, or piece of knowledge known only to initiates or specialists

   The notation was once treated as an arcanum available only to advanced mathematicians.

2. 2
   noun

   historical: a supposedly powerful secret remedy or alchemical preparation

   The alchemist guarded the recipe for his arcanum from rival practitioners.

Borrowed from Latin arcanum ("secret, mystery"), the neuter of arcanus ("secret, hidden"), from arca ("chest, box"). The plural arcana entered English for hidden doctrines or specialized mysteries.

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