surreptitious

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   Stealthy, furtive, well hidden, covert (especially movements).

   He read the letter aloud. Sophia listened with the studied air of one for whom, even in these days, a title possessed some surreptitious allurement.

2. 2
   adj

   conducted with or marked by hidden aims or methods

3. 3
   adj

   marked by quiet and caution and secrecy

Etymology

Borrowed from Latin surrēptīcius (“furtive, clandestine”), from surrēpō (“to creep along”).