Secret, mysterious (6) Crossword Clue
Answer: ARCANE (6 letters)
The answer to the crossword clue "Secret, mysterious" with 6 letters is "ARCANE".Arcane means secret, mysterious, or known only to a few people. It is often used to describe knowledge, practices, or information that is obscure, esoteric, or difficult for most people to understand.
Why “Arcane” Fits
The clue asks for a 6-letter word meaning “secret” or “mysterious.” The answer, ARCANE, fits perfectly:
- Secret, mysterious: "Arcane" describes something known or understood by only a few, often shrouded in secrecy, complexity, or mystique. It refers to knowledge, rituals, or information that is hidden or obscure to most people, accessible only to a select group.
- Adjective usage: The term captures both literal secrecy and figurative impenetrability—whether it’s arcane laws, arcane rituals, or arcane jargon.
This rarefied word is a precise and classic response for clues seeking an air of secrecy or mystery.
Arcane is a word rich in history and imagery:
- Origin: From Latin "arcanus," meaning hidden, secret, or closed, the word evokes the idea of something locked away in a chest or only revealed to initiates.
- Modern meaning: "Arcane" is used for everything from old and complex procedures (“arcane legal codes”) to specialist knowledge in science, art, or magic (“arcane formula”).
- Related terms: Its near-synonyms include "esoteric," "obscure," “inscrutable,” and "enigmatic," but "arcane" emphasizes remoteness from common understanding.
"Arcane" bridges the clue’s requirements for secrecy, difficulty, and a sense of the unusual or enigmatic.
In quick crosswords, clues like “secret, mysterious (6)”:
- Prompt rare adjectives—“arcane,” “cryptic,” “elusive.”
- The answer length (6) suits "arcane" exactly, a favored word for grid fills involving mystical or hidden things.
- When clues balance between literal and figurative meaning, classic, formal-sounding adjectives like "arcane" are top choices.
Spotting these attributes and the unique definition quickly leads to “arcane.”
