— subreptitious /sub'rep tish"euhs/ , adj.
/seuhb rep"sheuhn/ , n.
1. Canon Law. a concealment of the pertinent facts in a petition, as for dispensation or favor, that in certain cases nullifies the grant. Cf. obreption (def. 1).
2. Scots Law. the act of obtaining something, as an escheat, by concealing pertinent facts. Cf. obreption (def. 2).
3. a fallacious representation or an inference from it.
[ 1590-1600; subreption- (s. of subreptio ) a stealing, equiv. to subrept ( us ) (ptp. of subripere to steal, itself equiv. to sub- -SUB + -rep- (comb. form of rapere to seize, RAPE 1 ) + -tus ptp. suffix) + -ion- -ION ]