SECRETLY
secretly
(adverb) not openly; inwardly; “they were secretly delighted at his embarrassment”; “hoped secretly she would change her mind”
secretly, in secret, on the Q.T., on the QT
(adverb) in secrecy; not openly; “met secretly to discuss the invasion plans”; “the children secretly went to the movies when they were supposed to be at the library”; “they arranged to meet in secret”
Source: WordNet® 3.1
Etymology
Adverb
secretly (not comparable)
In secret, covertly.
Antonyms
• cĹŤram
Source: Wiktionary
Se"cret*ly, adv.
Definition: In a secret manner.
SECRET
Se"cret, a. Etym: [F. secret (cf. Sp.& Pg. secreto, It. secreto,
segreto), fr. L. secretus, p.p. of secrernere to put apart, to
separate. See Certain, and cf. Secrete, Secern.]
1. Hidden; concealed; as, secret treasure; secret plans; a secret
vow. Shak.
The secret things belong unto the Lord our God; but those things
which are revealed belong unto us. Deut. xxix. 29.
2. Withdraw from general intercourse or notice; in retirement or
secrecy; secluded.
There, secret in her sapphire cell, He with the NaĂŻs wont to dwell.
Fenton.
3. Faithful to a secret; not inclined to divulge or betray
confidence; secretive. [R.]
Secret Romans, that have spoke the word, And will not palter. Shak.
4. Separate; distinct. [Obs.]
They suppose two other divine hypostases superior thereunto, which
were perfectly secret from matter. Cudworth.
Syn.
– Hidden; concealed; secluded; retired; unseen; unknown; private;
obscure; recondite; latent; covert; clandestine; privy. See Hidden.
Se"cret, n. Etym: [F. secret (cf. Pr. secret, Sp. & Pg. secreto, It.
secreto, segreto), from L. secretum. See Secret, a.]
1. Something studiously concealed; a thing kept from general
knowledge; what is not revealed, or not to be revealed.
To tell our secrets is often folly; to communicate those of others is
treachery. Rambler.
2. A thing not discovered; what is unknown or unexplained; a mystery.
All secrets of the deep, all nature's works. Milton
3. pl.
Definition: The parts which modesty and propriety require to be concealed;
the genital organs. In secret, in a private place; in privacy or
secrecy; in a state or place not seen; privately.
Bread eaten in secret is pleasant. Prov. ix. 17.
Se"cret, v. t.
Definition: To keep secret. [Obs.] Bacon.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition