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Arcane vs Cryptolect - What's the difference?

arcane | cryptolect |

As an adjective arcane

is understood by only a few; obscure; requiring secret or mysterious knowledge.

As a noun cryptolect is

(linguistics) a secretive language form used by a subculture; an arcane cant.

arcane

English

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • Understood by only a few; obscure; requiring secret or mysterious knowledge.
  • * 1997 : Chris Horrocks, Introducing Foucault'', page 67, ''The Renaissance Episteme (Totem Books, Icon Books; ISBN 1840460865)
    • A “signature” was placed on all things by God to indicate their affinities — but it was hidden, hence the search for arcane' knowledge. Knowing was '''guessing''' and ' interpreting , not observing or demonstrating.

    Synonyms

    * esoteric * recondite * clandestine

    Antonyms

    * mundane

    Related terms

    * arcana

    References

    * * * ----

    cryptolect

    English

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (linguistics) A secretive language form used by a subculture; an arcane cant.
    • Cockney rhyming slang developed originally from the cryptolects of London’s thieves and vagabonds.

    Derived terms

    * cryptolectal

    References

    * “ cryptolect, n. ” listed in the Oxford English Dictionary (draft entry, March 2006)