Meaning and Origin
What does the name Secret mean? Keep reading to find the user submitted meanings, dictionary definitions, and more.
Origin and Meaning of Secret
User Submitted Origins
English
80%
Hindu
20%
User Submitted Meanings
- A user from Virginia, U.S. says the name Secret is of English origin and means "Treasure".
- A user from Washington, U.S. says the name Secret is of English origin and means "Gods big plan".
International Interest
Also see international interest
Webster's Unabridged Dictionary
adjective Se"cret
Senses
- Hidden; concealed; as, secret treasure; secret plans; a secret vow."The secret things belong unto the Lord our God; but those things which are revealed belong unto us." [Deut. xxix. 29.]
- Withdrawn from general intercourse or notice; in retirement or secrecy; secluded."There, secret in her sapphire cell, He with the Naïs wont to dwell."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.]
- 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.]
- Separate; distinct.(Obs)"They suppose two other divine hypostases superior thereunto, which were perfectly secret from matter." [Cudworth.]synonyms: Hidden; concealed; secluded; retired; unseen; unknown; private; obscure; recondite; latent; covert; clandestine; privy. See Hidden.
Etymology: F. secretcf. Sp. & Pg. secreto, It. secreto segreto), fr. L. secretus, p. p. of secernere to put apart, to separate. See Certain, and cf. Secrete Secern
noun Se"cret
Senses
- 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.]
- A thing not discovered; what is unknown or unexplained; a mystery."All secrets of the deep, all nature's works." [Milton.]
- pl.The parts which modesty and propriety require to be concealed; the genital organs."Bread eaten in secret is pleasant." [Prov. ix. 17.]
Etymology: F. secretcf. Pr. secret, Sp. & Pg. secreto, It. secreto segreto), from L. secretum. See Secret (a.)
verb Se"cret
To keep secret.
Other Dictionary Sources
- Something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained ("it remains one of nature's secrets")
- Information known only to a special group ("the secret of Cajun cooking")
- Something that should remain hidden from others (especially information that is not to be passed on) ("the combination to the safe was a secret" and "he tried to keep his drinking a secret")
- Not openly made known ("a secret marriage" and "a secret bride")
- The next to highest level of official classification for documents
- Having an import not apparent to the senses nor obvious to the intelligence; beyond ordinary understanding ("the secret learning of the ancients")
- Not expressed ("secret (or private) thoughts")
- Conducted with or marked by hidden aims or methods ("secret missions", "a secret agent", and "secret sales of arms")
- Indulging only covertly ("a secret alcoholic")
- Communicated covertly ("their secret signal was a wink" and "secret messages")
- (of information) given in confidence or in secret ("their secret communications")
- Hidden from general view or use ("a secret garden")
- Designed to elude detection ("a secret passage" and "the secret compartment in the desk")
- Not open or public; kept private or not revealed ("a secret formula", "secret ingredients", and "secret talks")
Wiktionary
From Middle English secrette, borrowed from Old French secret, from Latin sēcrētus (“separated, hidden”), from ptp of sēcernō (“separate, to set aside, sunder out”), from Latin cernō, from Proto-Indo-European *krey- .
- (countable) A piece of knowledge that is hidden and intended to be kept hidden. [from late 14th c.]
- "Can you keep a ?" "Yes." "So can I."
- The key or principle by which something is made clear; the knack.
- The to a long-lasting marriage is compromise.
- Something not understood or known.
- (uncountable) Private seclusion.
- The work was done in , so that nobody could object.
- (archaic, in the plural) The genital organs.
- (historical) A form of steel skullcap.
- (Christianity, often in the plural) Any prayer spoken inaudibly and not aloud; especially, one of the prayers in the Mass, immediately following the "orate, fratres", said inaudibly by the celebrant.
secret was also found in the following language(s): Catalan, French, Middle French, and Romanian