adj.
Pronunciation: klan- ' des-t ə n also - ˌ t ī n or - ˌ t ē n or ' klan-d ə s-
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle French or Latin; Middle French clandestin, from Latin clandestinus, from clam secretly; akin to Latin celare to hide ― more at HELL
Date: circa 1528
: marked by, held in, or conducted with secrecy : SURREPTITIOUS <a clandestine love affair>
synonyms see SECRET
– clan · des · tine · ly adverb
– clan · des · tine · ness noun
– clan · des · tin · i · ty \ ˌ klan-d ə - ' sti-n ə -t ē , -des- ' ti- \ noun