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Arcane vs Eldritch - What's the difference?

arcane | eldritch |

As adjectives the difference between arcane and eldritch

is that arcane is understood by only a few; obscure; requiring secret or mysterious knowledge while eldritch is unearthly, alien, supernatural, weird, spooky, eerie.

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

    * * * ----

    eldritch

    English

    Alternative forms

    * eldrich, elrich, elritch

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • unearthly, alien, supernatural, weird, spooky, eerie
  • * 1790 —
    • So Maggie runs, the witches follow,
    Wi' mony an eldritch skriech and hollo.
  • * 1850 — , ch VII
    • Pearl, in utter scorn of her mother's attempt to quiet her, gave an eldritch scream, and then became silent.
  • * 2003 — , ch 3
    • Between the new case, the Outfit hitter, and challenge, I wanted to make damn sure that I wasn't gonna get caught with my eldritch britches down again.