Defn: Secrecy; privacy. [Obs.] Chaucer.
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.
SECRET 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