secret Meaning, Definition & Usage
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noun something that should remain hidden from others (especially information that is not to be passed on)
- the combination to the safe was a secret
- he tried to keep his drinking a secret
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noun information known only to a special group
arcanum.
- the secret of Cajun cooking
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noun something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained
mystery; closed book; enigma.
- how it got out is a mystery
- it remains one of nature's secrets
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adjective satellite not open or public; kept private or not revealed
- a secret formula
- secret ingredients
- secret talks
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adjective satellite conducted with or marked by hidden aims or methods
hugger-mugger; clandestine; hole-and-corner; surreptitious; underground; cloak-and-dagger; hush-hush; undercover.
- clandestine intelligence operations
- cloak-and-dagger activities behind enemy lines
- hole-and-corner intrigue
- secret missions
- a secret agent
- secret sales of arms
- surreptitious mobilization of troops
- an undercover investigation
- underground resistance
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adjective satellite not openly made known
unavowed.
- a secret marriage
- a secret bride
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adjective satellite communicated covertly
- their secret signal was a wink
- secret messages
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adjective satellite not expressed
private.
- secret (or private) thoughts
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adjective satellite designed to elude detection
hidden.
- a hidden room or place of concealment such as a priest hole
- a secret passage
- the secret compartment in the desk
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adjective satellite hidden from general view or use
secluded; privy.
- a privy place to rest and think
- a secluded romantic spot
- a secret garden
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adjective satellite (of information) given in confidence or in secret
confidential.
- this arrangement must be kept confidential
- their secret communications
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adjective satellite indulging only covertly
- a secret alcoholic
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adjective satellite having an import not apparent to the senses nor obvious to the intelligence; beyond ordinary understanding
mystical; occult; mystic; orphic; mysterious.
- mysterious symbols
- the mystical style of Blake
- occult lore
- the secret learning of the ancients
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adjective satellite the next to highest level of official classification for documents
WordNet
Se"cret adjective
Etymology
F.Definitions
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Hidden; concealed; Shak.as, .secret treasure;secret plans; asecret vowThe secret things belong unto the Lord our God; but those things which are revealed belong unto us. Deut. xxix. 29.
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Withdraw from general intercourse or notice; in retirement or secrecy; secluded. There, secret in her sapphire cell, He with the Naïs wont to dwell. Fenton.
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Faithful to a secret; not inclined to divulge or betray confidence; secretive. R.Secret Romans, that have spoke the word, And will not palter. Shak.
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Separate; distinct. Obs.They suppose two other divine hypostases superior thereunto, which were perfectly secret from matter. Cudworth.
Syn. -- Hidden; concealed; secluded; retired; unseen; unknown; private; obscure; recondite; latent; covert; clandestine; privy. See Hidden .
Se"cret noun
Etymology
F.Definitions
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Something studiously concealed; a thing kept from general knowledge; what is not revealed, or not to be revealed. To tell our secrets is often folly; to communicate those of others is treachery. Rambler.
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A thing not discovered; what is unknown or unexplained; a mystery. All secrets of the deep, all nature's works. Milton
- pl.
The parts which modesty and propriety require to be concealed; the genital organs. Bread eaten in secret is pleasant. Prov. ix. 17.
Se"cret transitive verb
Definitions
To keep secret. Obs. Bacon.