Question

arcanum noun The word "arcanum" (pluralized as "arcana") came from Latin "arcanus," meaning "secret," and entered English as the Dark Ages gave way to the Renaissance. It was often used in reference to the mysteries of the physical and spiritual worlds, subjects of heavy scrutiny and rethinking at the time. Alchemists were commonly said to be pursuing the arcana of nature, and they sought elixirs for changing base metals into gold, prolonging life, and curing disease. The frequent association of the word with the alchemists' elixirs influenced the use of "arcanum" for "elixir." 1 : mysterious or specialized knowledge, language, or information accessible or possessed only by the initiate -- usually used in plural2 : elixir

Accepted Answer

September 11, 2008 ar-KAY-num The author, a physicist, adeptly demystifies arcana of her field with lucid, accessible prose.

Word	arcanum
Date	September 11, 2008
Type	noun
Syllables	ar-KAY-num
Etymology	The word "arcanum" (pluralized as "arcana") came from Latin "arcanus," meaning "secret," and entered English as the Dark Ages gave way to the Renaissance. It was often used in reference to the mysteries of the physical and spiritual worlds, subjects of heavy scrutiny and rethinking at the time. Alchemists were commonly said to be pursuing the arcana of nature, and they sought elixirs for changing base metals into gold, prolonging life, and curing disease. The frequent association of the word with the alchemists' elixirs influenced the use of "arcanum" for "elixir."
Examples	The author, a physicist, adeptly demystifies arcana of her field with lucid, accessible prose.
Definition	1 : mysterious or specialized knowledge, language, or information accessible or possessed only by the initiate -- usually used in plural 2 : elixir

Word Arcanum Arcana Elixirs Accessible September Noun Ar Kay Num