Secret

Se′cret, a. [F. secret (cf. Sp. & Pg. secreto, It. secreto, segreto), fr. L. secretus, p. p. of secernere 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. Withdrawn from general intercourse or notice; in retirement or secrecy; secluded.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. [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 own 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. 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. To keep secret. [Obs.] Bacon.