Se"cret (?), a. [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 Nais 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.
© Webster 1913.
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 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.
© Webster 1913.
Se"cret (?), v. t.
To keep secret.
[Obs.]
Bacon.
© Webster 1913.