The definition of surreptitious is something that is done in secret or that is kept quiet.
(adjective)An example of surreptitious behavior is sneaking cookies before dinner after you were told not to snack between meals.
See surreptitious in Webster's New World College Dictionary
adjective
Origin: ME surrepticious < L surrepticius < surreptus, pp. of surripere, to take away secretly < sub- (see sub-) + rapere, to seize (see rape)
Related Forms:
See surreptitious in American Heritage Dictionary 4
adjective
Origin:
Origin: Middle English
Origin: , from Latin surreptīcius
Origin: , from surreptus
Origin: , past participle of surripere, to take away secretly
Origin: : sub-, secretly; see sub-
Origin: + rapere, to seize; see rep- in Indo-European roots
.Related Forms:
Learn more about surreptitious