ˈfər]d.]iv, ˈfə̄], ˈfəi], ]t], ]ēv\ adjective
Etymology: French or Latin; French furtif, from Latin furtivus, from furtum theft (from fur thief) + -ivus -ive; akin to Greek phōr thief, Latin ferre to carry — more at bear
1.
a. : done by stealth : secret , surreptitious
a furtive glance told her worlds — Mark Twain
b. : expressive of stealth : sneaky , sly
the furtive look of those who know they ought to be doing something else — Alan Ross
2.
a. : obtained underhandedly : stolen
b. : given to stealing : thievish
the farmers were so much plagued by the furtive bird — J.H.Burton
Synonyms: see secret