Part 178

Se"cre, n. A secret. [Obs.] Chaucer.

Se"cre*cy (?), n.; pl. Secrecies (#). [From Secret.] 1. The state or quality of being hidden; as, his movements were detected in spite of their secrecy.

The Lady Anne, Whom the king hath in secrecy long married.

Shak.

2. That which is concealed; a secret. [R.] Shak.

3. Seclusion; privacy; retirement. "The pensive secrecy of desert cell." Milton.

4. The quality of being secretive; fidelity to a secret; forbearance of disclosure or discovery.

It is not with public as with private prayer; in this, rather secrecy is commanded than outward show.

Hooker.

Se"cre*ly (?), adv. Secretly. [Obs.] Chaucer.

Se"cre*ness, n. Secrecy; privacy. [Obs.] Chaucer.

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 Withdrawn from general intercourse or notice; in retirement or secrecy; secluded.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.