[se.cret] adj [ME, fr. MF, fr. L secretus, fr. pp. of secernere to separate, distinguish, fr. se- apart + cernere to sift--more at secede, certain] (14c) 1 a: kept from knowledge or view: hidden b: marked by the habit of discretion: closemouthed c: working with hidden aims or methods: undercover "a ~ agent" d: not acknowledged: unavowed "a ~ bride" e: conducted in secret "a ~ trial"
2: remote from human frequentation or notice: secluded
3: revealed only to the initiated: esoteric
4: constructed so as to elude observation or detection "a ~ panel"
5: containing information whose unauthorized disclosure could endanger national security--compare confidential, top secret -- se.cret.ly adv syn secret, covert, stealthy, furtive, clandestine, surreptitious, underhanded mean done without attracting observation. secret implies concealment on any grounds for any motive "met at a secret location". covert stresses the fact of not being open or declared "covert intelligence operations". stealthy suggests taking pains to avoid being seen or heard esp. in some misdoing "the stealthy step of a burglar". furtive implies a sly or cautious stealthiness "lovers exchanging furtive glances". clandestine implies secrecy usu. for an evil, illicit, or unauthorized purpose and often emphasizes the fear of being discovered "a clandestine meeting of conspirators". surreptitious applies to action or behavior done secretly often with skillful avoidance of detection and in violation of custom, law, or authority "the surreptitious stockpiling of weapons". underhanded stresses fraud or deception "an underhanded trick".
[2]secret n (14c) 1 a: something kept hidden or unexplained: mystery b: something kept from the knowledge of others or shared only confidentially with a few c: a method, formula, or process used in an art or a manufacturing operation and divulged only to those of one's own company or craft d pl: the practices or knowledge making up the shared discipline or culture of an esoteric society
2: a prayer traditionally said inaudibly by the celebrant just before the preface of the mass
3: something taken to be a specific or key to a desired end "the ~ of longevity" -- in secret : in a private place or manner