secret

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   indulging only covertly

   a secret alcoholic

2. 2
   adj

   communicated covertly

   their secret signal was a wink

3. 3
   noun

   information known only to a special group

   the secret of Cajun cooking

4. 4
   noun

   something that should remain hidden from others (especially information that is not to be passed on)

   the combination to the safe was a secret

5. 5
   adj

   not openly made known

   a secret marriage

6. 6
   adj

   not expressed

   secret (or private) thoughts

7. 7
   noun

   A piece of knowledge that is hidden and intended to be kept hidden.

   "Can you keep a secret?" "Yes." "So can I."

8. 8
   noun

   The key or principle by which something is made clear; the knack.

   The secret to a long-lasting marriage is compromise.

Etymology

From Middle English secrette, from Old French secret, from Latin sēcrētus (“separated, hidden”), from ptp of sēcernō (“separate, to set aside, sunder out”), from cernō, from Proto-Indo-European *krey-. Displaced Old English dēagol (“secret”).