arcane
Group 3Difficulty 2/3
Definition
- (adjective)
- Understood by few; mysterious or secret GRE
Example in Context
The arcane rules governing the Senate's filibuster procedures left most observers baffled during the procedural debate.
Synonyms
mysterioussecretobscure
Etymology
A secret knowledge understood by few.
- arcanus (Latin) — secret
Memory Aid
🪄Sounds like “our cane”
A wizard waving OUR CANE in a secretive whisper, revealing ARCANEs of magic only a select few can understand!
Visual Association
🔮A mysterious book with glowing symbols, surrounded by a swirling mist in a dark library.
Semantic Clusters
Synonym Groups
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “arcane” mean on the GRE?
arcane (adjective) means “Understood by few; mysterious or secret”. The arcane rules governing the Senate's filibuster procedures left most observers baffled during the procedural debate.
How to remember “arcane” for the GRE?
Mnemonic: “arcane” sounds like “our cane”. A wizard waving OUR CANE in a secretive whisper, revealing ARCANEs of magic only a select few can understand!
What are synonyms for “arcane”?
Common synonyms: mysterious, secret, obscure.