arcane
Meaning: Understood by few; mysterious or secret, requiring specialised or hidden knowledge.
Arcane suggests knowledge that is accessible only to a select few, whether because it is genuinely obscure or because it has been deliberately kept secret. It is used for rules, rituals, knowledge, and practices that seem impenetrably complex to outsiders. It often carries a slightly humorous or exasperated tone. It collocates with 'knowledge,' 'rules,' 'rituals,' 'world,' 'subject,' and 'language.'
Examples
- The arcane rules of parliamentary procedure baffled newly elected members. 晦涩难懂的议会程序规则让新当选的议员们一头雾水。Las arcanas normas del procedimiento parlamentario desconcertaban a los diputados recién elegidos.議会手続きの難解な規則に、新たに選出された議員たちは当惑しました。의회 절차의 난해한 규칙에 신임 의원들은 당혹스러워했다.
- He possessed an arcane knowledge of medieval manuscripts that few scholars could match. 他拥有关于中世纪手稿的深奥知识,鲜有学者能与之匹敌。Poseía un arcano conocimiento de manuscritos medievales que pocos académicos podían igualar.彼は中世の写本に関する深遠な知識を持っており、それに匹敵できる学者はほとんどいませんでした。그는 중세 필사본에 관한 심오한 지식을 갖추고 있었으며, 그에 견줄 수 있는 학자는 거의 없었다.
- The tax code had become so arcane that even accountants struggled to navigate its complexities. 税法变得如此晦涩复杂,连会计师都难以驾驭其中的复杂性。El código tributario se había vuelto tan arcano que incluso los contables tenían dificultades para manejarse en su complejidad.税法は非常に難解になり、会計士でさえその複雑さを理解するのに苦労しました。세법이 너무나 난해해져서 회계사조차 그 복잡함을 이해하는 데 어려움을 겪었다.
Pronunciation
Usage Guide
Context: academic, media, general
Tone: neutral
Origin & History
From Latin arcanus (secret, hidden), from arca (chest, box), from arcere (to shut in, to enclose). The association with hidden knowledge developed through alchemical and mystical traditions.
Cultural Context
Era: Modern
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
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