arcane

• Décrit quelque chose de mystérieux, de secret ou compréhensible uniquement par un petit nombre de personnes.

Describes something that is mysterious, secret, or understood by only a few people.

1. C1formal

   Understood by only a few; mysterious or secret.

   mystérieux ou secret (compris de quelques-uns seulement)

   • The ancient text contained arcane rituals.
   • He studied arcane symbols from medieval manuscripts.
   • The society's arcane knowledge was passed down orally.

   Synonymesabstrusecrypticenigmaticesotericinscrutablemysteriousobscureoccultreconditesecret

   Antonymesclearcommonfamiliarknownobviousopenplainpublic

2. Obscure or esotericC2formal

   Very obscure and difficult for most people to understand.

   obscur ou ésotérique

   • The professor's lecture on arcane philosophy confused the students.
   • She has an interest in arcane mathematical theories.
   • The book discusses arcane aspects of alchemy.

   Synonymesabstrusecrypticenigmaticalesotericinscrutablemysteriousobscureoccultpuzzlingrecondite

   Antonymescommonfamiliarordinarypopular