clandestine

[ klan-des-tin ]
/ klænˈdɛs tɪn /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR clandestine ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

characterized by, done in, or executed with secrecy or concealment, especially for purposes of subversion or deception; private or surreptitious: Their clandestine meetings went undiscovered for two years.

Origin of clandestine

1560–70; < Latin clandestīnus, equivalent to *clande, *clamde, variant of clam secretly (with -de adv. particle) + -stīnus, probably after intestīnus internal; see intestine

OTHER WORDS FROM clandestine

clan·des·tine·ly, adverb clan·des·tine·ness, clan·des·tin·i·ty, noun un·clan·des·tine·ly, adverb

Words nearby clandestine

clamshell, clamshell door, clamworm, clan, clancy, clandestine, clang, clang association, clanger, clanging, clangor

Words related to clandestinity

concealment, covertness, private, silence, stealth, confidentiality

Example sentences from the Web for clandestinity

  • We admit that clandestinity and escapade are sometimes authorized and made right by parental tyranny or domestic serfdom.

    The Wedding Ring |T. De Witt Talmage

British Dictionary definitions for clandestinity

clandestine
/ (klænˈdɛstɪn) /

adjective

secret and concealed, often for illicit reasons; furtive

Derived forms of clandestine

clandestinely, adverb clandestineness, noun

Word Origin for clandestine

C16: from Latin clandestīnus, from clam secretly; related to Latin celāre to hide