I'm going to keep my posts very short, because the point is really to visit as many blogs as possible. My theme, in case you can't already tell, is awesome words that begin with the letter of the day.
I'll share the word, its definition, some synonyms, and then as much etymology as I can find. I love etymologies, don't you?
So, anyway, here's today's word:
Arcane
arcane [ɑːˈkeɪn] adj. - requiring secret or mysterious knowledge to be understood.
Synonyms: mysterious, secret, hidden, esoteric, occult, recondite, cabbalistic.
Etymology: 1540s, from L. arcanus "secret, hidden, private, concealed," from arcere "close up, enclose, contain," from arca "chest, box, place for safe-keeping," from PIE *ark- "to hold, contain, guard" (cf. Gk. arkos "defense," arkein "to ward off;" Arm. argel "obstacle;" Lith. raktas "key," rakinti "to shut, lock").
That's a great word. I think I'm going to try and work that into a story.
ReplyDeleteWe're doing something very similar! Good luck. :)
ReplyDeleteA thinking man's word for sure.
ReplyDeleteI love learning new words and their etymology. Cool!
ReplyDeleteThat's cool. Can't wait for tomorrow's word.
ReplyDeleteI just knew this was going to be yet another great opportunity to learn something by stopping by and checking you out, Matthew...love what you're doing with the A-Z.
ReplyDeleteGreat "A"!
Jenny @ Pearson Report
Co-Host of the Blogging from A to Z Challenge.
Cool word. Looking forward to coming words.
ReplyDeleteI am going to try to use that word at least three times today...
ReplyDeleteGreat start... to the challenge "A" is for Awesome!
Jeremy [Retro-Zombie]
A to Z Co-Host
IZOMBIE: Visit the Madness
Wonderful! I love learning about the history of words. Looking forward to reading more.
ReplyDeleteA good word - one that's not used often enough these days. Awesome start to the challenge :)
ReplyDeleteJamie Gibbs
Fellow A-Z buddy
Mithril Wisdom
That's a nice word, I look forward to reading your posts! Hopefully it will help expand my vocabulary.
ReplyDeleteAhhh, right to the heart of a 'word junkie'.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteNice theme! Arcane is a great word - so many great images come to mind with just the word!
ReplyDeleteI like your A to Z Challenge theme, Matthew! I'm such a word nerd so this is going to be fun. Have a great day!!
ReplyDeleteat a coincidence! Arcane is my middle name!
ReplyDeleteI love the word arcane!! It makes me wish I had secret knowledge in order to understand something cool and mysterious.
ReplyDeleteI've always loved the word, Arcane! Thanks for the refreshing take on A-to-Z!
ReplyDeleteArcane knowledge.. Thanks for reminding me, I have yet alot of reading to do which I almost forgot
ReplyDeleteI really love etymology. Love that there is a place to say these kinds of things without faces of raised eyebrows judging. :)
ReplyDeleteOoooh arcane!!! Lovely word, no? Already conjures up all things mystic and mystical! Yay! Take care
ReplyDeletex
Love that word. I didn't really know what it meant before. Thanks.
ReplyDeletei love words! can't wait to read your next 25!
ReplyDeleteGreat word, "arcane." Sounds like it should be in a medievel novel!
ReplyDeleteA great word to start a great challenge. Good luck with the next 25.
ReplyDeleteYvonne.
Great word. Happy a to z challenge
ReplyDeleteYou know, I don't believe I have ever used the word arcane in my speaking or writing vocabulary. It is definitely time to change that! Great word!
ReplyDeleteVery interesting first post. Have a great month of A-Z!
ReplyDeleteGreat idea, Matt! Learning is always fun!...:)JP
ReplyDeleteOooh, an opportunity to expand my vocabulary, too. I am all for that. Great theme.
ReplyDeleteI used to play a lot of arcane games.
ReplyDeleteAnd thanks for pointing me towards the Online Etymology Dictionary - I love the sources of words and had to go look up what those abbreviations meant.
It'll be like a fun way to study for the SAT! LOL I'm going to use every word I don't already know on the days you post them. Should be interesting to see how many folks around here know them!
ReplyDeleteGood idea Matthew - I'll use your words as a "word for the day" exercise and work them into my WIP.
ReplyDeleteStopping by from A-Z Challenge nice topic.
ReplyDeleteLOVE your theme. In April, I'll use your blog instead of my "word of the day" iPhone app :-)
ReplyDeleteArcane always works in fantasy stories, for sure. :) Looking forward to the rest of your A-z posts.
ReplyDeleteNutschell
www.thewritingnut.com
Interesting word. Interesting theme.
ReplyDeletevisiting from A-Z; I was not familiar with the word but I do like its meaning. I bet know that I have read it today, I'll hear it at least three more times in the days ahead.
ReplyDeletebetty
This is going to be good for me. Like an adult's version of sesame street. Great idea! I hope to reacquaint myself with some good SAT words.
ReplyDeleteGood start and keep it up!
Cheers, M. from Feed Me A Stray Cat!
Great choice. I love these, too, that's why five days a week I get an email from wordsmith.org. Fascinating!
ReplyDeleteLove this word. :) Great choice, Matt!
ReplyDeleteClever idea, I have just learned a new word! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteI always thought arcane meant "old fashioned," should I take the SATs over again? JK, I am learning so much and it's only the 1st of April!
ReplyDeleteLove that you are doing some etymology here. As an English teacher that is close to my heart. I love getting my high schoolers excited about new words. We actually have a lot of fun with vocabulary. In fact I have vocab drawing to go check off right now.
ReplyDeleteI love mysteries... but I prefer the one with a path to understanding. Maybe that's why I love criminal mystery programs. HeHe Nice post.
ReplyDeleteA Ladybug's Life
Sonnia
Me too. Learned a new word. Thanks
ReplyDeleteYou know, I never realized (until now) that I had no idea what this word meant. I like it though, I'd love to work it into a novel at some point.
ReplyDeleteHere's a great website for finding etymologies: http://etymonline.com/ Maybe it will help you out this month?
I also just wanted to send a comment your way because I've been assigned to you. Can't wait to see what other word you have in your line up!
Nice word, Mr. MacNish! My "A" post will be up at 12:05 PST or noon:05. ;)
ReplyDeleteI love this word! I feel like it is underused (and often incorrectly). I hope you've brought it back into vogue here!
ReplyDeleteOoh, great theme!
ReplyDeleteI love new words!
ReplyDeleteI love that you have a German shepherd (we have 2)
Lots to read, have fun!
excellent word and awesome theme.
ReplyDeleteEtymology is MUCH better than entomology. You don't need bug spray.
ReplyDeleteHowever, "entenmannology" is great. I love the study of coffee cakes and sticky buns.
Unless they're MY buns.
If you use that in our Words With Friends match....I'll bean you!
ReplyDelete:)
I'm all about the short posts. So much more fun and easy to read. :) I love the word "arcane." Great choice for today!
ReplyDeleteI love this word!
ReplyDeleteCara
I loved the words 'arcane wisdom' when I was a kid. Always thought they'd lead to something exciting
ReplyDeleteLx
OOhh I love this word! Thanks for sharing it!
ReplyDeleteArcane! Arcane!
ReplyDeleteThis word makes me happy.
This morning I was talking with my dad about the Dark Ages, Charlemagne, and and gnostic graffito.
You'll be better than a Thesaurus this month!
ReplyDeleteIt's great to encounter another word freak who reads etymological dictionaries for fun. That word and the image with it gets my creative brain plotting and gleeful.
ReplyDeleteBrilliant choice for your A-Z theme. Perfect for all the writers out there. Arcane is certainly a wonderful word to start the challenge. I see spellbooks and cobweb-filled castles.
ReplyDeleteI've always loved the sound of the word arcane. It's so beautiful and descriptive at the same time.
ReplyDeleteGreat post theme! Happy A-Z blogging!
Awesome word! I love the history of it which you posted, as well. I occasionally use it in my writing and when I do, I feel a frisson of pride! :)
ReplyDeletejean
At the heart of every good story is the quest to uncover -- and maybe even exploit -- the arcane.
ReplyDeleteI think. Sounds plausible, anyway.
I love this word, it's part of my world. I had a friend who used to mix it up with the word archaic - but that's another story :-)
ReplyDeleteGreat idea!
ReplyDeleteIn a time where you get the impression that the only things you are apps
posts like this one give some hope.
Arcane reminds me of an extraordinary game from 2001.
Arcanum: Of Steamworks and Magick Obscura
It's a great word - looking forward to the rest of these!
ReplyDeleteLove the way "arcane" hints of mysterious secrets, all by itself. Love love it.
ReplyDeleteGood word. It should be applied more frequently to science.
ReplyDeleteI love learning new words, and my Dad and I share a love for etymology. I'm doing a word a day, too, only in Swedish. It's been great co-hosting with you. See you tomorrow!
ReplyDeleteTina @ Life is Good
Co-Host of the April A to Z Challenge
Twitter: @AprilA2Z #atozchallenge
I dig it. :-) Happy A-Zing!
ReplyDeleteGreat first post. I look forward seeing what else you do this month.
ReplyDeleteArcane is such a cool word. *nods* I've never managed to use it in my writing, but one day!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by on my blog and letting me know you were co-hosting. Good luck for the challenge - both the taking part and the hosting!
Awesome A!
ReplyDeleteGreat word. Love it your theme and looking forward to coming back to learn more.
ReplyDeleteYep, Arcane is a brilliant word. Love your theme for the challenge!
ReplyDeleteNice one Matthew, i wonder how many time i could slip this word into a conversation during tomorrows working day.
ReplyDeleteShaun
Oh I am sooooo going to use this word on my husband. He thinks he's soooo smart. Huh, thanks for the great word for my vacab today... and maybe tomoroow too!
ReplyDeleteAs a RPG-er I love the arcane! It makes everything more magical and old world!
ReplyDeleteSweet theme. Hopefully, I can stop by here and perhaps learn a new word during April.
ReplyDeleteHere's a good trick that's word related.
Tell someone (as you hand them a dictionary)that between your brother and you, you know every single word in the English language. Challenge them to test you.
Usually you will know the first word or two, but when you run up against a word, you don't know, pause as if to reflect, then abruptly blurt, "ah, no wonder, my brother knows that one."
Great joke.
I love the word arcane. It's fun to say.
ReplyDeleteThe Golden Eagle
The Eagle's Aerial Perspective
Love etymology. This is going to be cool.
ReplyDeleteGood first post and great theme. Can't wait to read more :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the definition. If you're doing that every day I think it will be cool. I want so desperately to get an online membership to the OED so I can learn everything there is to know about a given word. But when I told the missus that it's $30 a month, well, she didn't think it was such a good idea.
ReplyDeleteSo, you'll have to be the next best thing.
Thanks for helping me increase my vocabulary. I'll be back tomorrow for my next lesson. But please, no tests!
ReplyDeleteLove the word and the illustration - it looks both magickal and steampunky at the same time. Thanks for being a co-host of this bebe.
ReplyDeleteLove it! I shall use Arcane at work tomorrow and dazzle my co-workers.
ReplyDeleteI look forward to a month of words.
Kathleen
Living 2012
http://365d-8760h-518400m.blogspot.com/
A to Z challeng
I started the A to Z challenge, too. I like your idea of a word for each day. I like your post much more than mine. Hopefully, mine will get better as the challenge goes on.
ReplyDeleteGreat start to the Challenge! I love reading about etymologies too. Plus, it's very nice that your posts will be short. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteoooh! i like it!
ReplyDeleteOOOOH! Great theme, Matthew! I have a video of the History of English in 10 Minutes up at the moment. Though I'm not trying the A to Z, I'm going to *love* reading everybody's posts.
ReplyDeleteNow if I could get you to use it in a sentence, I'd be set! Great theme. I think I'll be learning a lot from you this month.
ReplyDeleteI've always loved the way 'arcane' rolls off the tongue. Great first post!
ReplyDeleteReally excited to be a part of this for the first time!
I love this theme. :) Looks like I'll be stopping by lots more!
ReplyDeleteLove your theme, Matthew. Will stop by and learn often. :)
ReplyDeleteshort and sweet is perfect
ReplyDeleteReally looking forward to the rest of these etymological posts!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea!
ReplyDeleteHi Matthew .. yes I too love etymologies and have some books around to help me. Will enjoy your theme and word of the day ..
ReplyDeleteA comment bringing you to 100!!
Cheers Hilary
How blogs become popular seems arcane to me. There are certain rituals involved. Timing is crucial. And words do have to be put together in just the right way. Gathering and keeping a following is definitely magical.
ReplyDeleteArcane is a great word. :)
ReplyDeleteGreat post, looking forward to reading more new words.
ReplyDeleteThank you!
Jenni
Great post and theme! "Arcane" is one of my favorite words.
ReplyDeleteEllie
Ellie's Blank Book
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