adj.
Pronunciation: ' f ə r-tiv
Function: adjective
Etymology: French or Latin; French furtif, from Latin furtivus, from furtum theft, from fur thief, from or akin to Greek ph ō r thief; akin to Greek pherein to carry ― more at BEAR
Date: 1612
1 a : done by stealth : SURREPTITIOUS b : expressive of stealth : SLY <had a furtive look about him>
2 : obtained underhandedly : STOLEN
synonyms see SECRET
– fur · tive · ly adverb
– fur · tive · ness noun