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Inscrutable vs Arcane - What's the difference?

inscrutable | arcane | Related terms |

As adjectives the difference between inscrutable and arcane

is that inscrutable is difficult or impossible to comprehend, fathom, or interpret while arcane is understood by only a few; obscure; requiring secret or mysterious knowledge.

As a noun inscrutable

is one who or that which is inscrutable; a person, etc. that cannot be comprehended.

inscrutable

English

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • Difficult or impossible to comprehend, fathom or interpret.
    • His inscrutable theories would years later become the foundation of a whole new science.
  • * 2007 , Tracy Jordan'' (Tracy Morgan), ''30 Rock :
    • She called my vanity license plate inscrutable ! 'ICU81MI'? Hilarious!

    Synonyms

    * (difficult to comprehend) ineffable

    Derived terms

    * inscrutability * inscrutableness * inscrutably

    See also

    * inexplorable

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • One who or that which is inscrutable; a person, etc. that cannot be comprehended.

    • 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

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