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arcanus. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
arcanus, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
arcanus in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
arcanus you have here. The definition of the word
arcanus will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
arcanus, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
Latin
Etymology
From arca + -nus. Cognates include arceō (“I defend”), arx (“fortress”), arcera (“ambulance”), Old Armenian արգել (argel, “obstacle”) and Ancient Greek ἀρκέω (arkéō).
Pronunciation
Adjective
arcānus (feminine arcāna, neuter arcānum); first/second-declension adjective
- hidden, secret, private, mysterious
- Synonyms: obscūrus, secretus, occultus, clandestinus, perobscūrus
- Antonyms: conspicuus, manifestus
- intimate, personal, confidential
29 BCE – 19 BCE,
Virgil,
Aeneid 4.421–423:
- “ Sōlam nam perfidus ille / tē colere, arcānōs etiam tibi crēdere sēnsūs; / sōla virī mollīs aditūs et tempora nōrās.”
- “For that faithless cherished you alone, even confided his intimate feelings to you, and only you have known how and when to gently approach him.”
- trustworthy (to keep a secret)
Declension
First/second-declension adjective.
Descendants
References
- “arcanus”, in Charlton T. Lewis and Charles Short (1879) A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press
- “arcanus”, in Charlton T. Lewis (1891) An Elementary Latin Dictionary, New York: Harper & Brothers
- arcanus in Gaffiot, Félix (1934) Dictionnaire illustré latin-français, Hachette.
- Carl Meißner, Henry William Auden (1894) Latin Phrase-Book, London: Macmillan and Co.
- to be present at secret consultations: consiliis arcanis interesse (Liv. 35. 18)