arcane (2009-06-19)

Part of Speech: adjective

Pronunciation: [ahr-'keyn]

Definition: Known or understood by only a few.

Usage: This is a good word to refer to rarities of all sorts: "Phil has arcane reading habits" or "Sarah's knowledge of arcane economic principles occasionally pays off." You might even try something like "Lucy likes to go to arcane cafes with unusual menus in New York."

Suggested Usage: This is an uncomplicated adjective with a broad range of applications.

Etymology: Latin arcânus "shut up, closed" hence "secret" from arca "a chest, box", as in Ark (Arc) of the Covenant. Unrelated to arcade, which derives from Latin arcus "arch".