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

• cōram

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 Naïs 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