furtive Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. adjective satellite marked by quiet and caution and secrecy; taking pains to avoid being observed
    surreptitious; sneak; stealthy; sneaky.
    • a furtive manner
    • a sneak attack
    • stealthy footsteps
    • a surreptitious glance at his watch
  2. adjective satellite secret and sly or sordid
    backstair; backstairs.
    • backstairs gossip
    • his low backstairs cunning"- A.L.Guerard
    • backstairs intimacies
    • furtive behavior

WordNet

Fur"tive adjective
Etymology
L. furtivus, fr. furtum theft, fr. fur thief, akin to ferre to bear: cf. F. furtif. See Fertile.
Definitions
  1. Stolen; obtained or characterized by stealth; sly; secret; stealthy; as, a furtive look. Prior.
    A hasty and furtive ceremony. Hallam.

Webster 1913