surreptitious Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. adjective satellite marked by quiet and caution and secrecy; taking pains to avoid being observed
    furtive; sneak; stealthy; sneaky.
    • a furtive manner
    • a sneak attack
    • stealthy footsteps
    • a surreptitious glance at his watch
  2. adjective satellite conducted with or marked by hidden aims or methods
    hugger-mugger; clandestine; secret; hole-and-corner; 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

WordNet

Sur`rep*ti"tious adjective
Etymology
L. surreptitius, or subreptitius, fr. surripere, subripere, to snatch away, to withdraw privily; sub- under + rapere to snatch. See Sub-, and Ravish.
Definitions
  1. Done or made by stealth, or without proper authority; made or introduced fraudulently; clandestine; stealthy; as, a surreptitious passage in an old manuscript; a surreptitious removal of goods. -- Sur`rep*ti"tious*ly, adv.

Webster 1913