clandestine
[ klan-des-tin ]
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
1First recorded in 1560–70; from Latin clandestīnus, from clamde, clande (unrecorded) (variant of clam “secretly” + -de, adverb particle) + -stīnus (probably after intestīnus “internal”; see intestine)
Other words for clandestine
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
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
British Dictionary definitions for clandestine
clandestine
/ (klænˈdɛstɪn) /
adjective
secret and concealed, often for illicit reasons; furtive
Origin of clandestine
1C16: from Latin clandestīnus, from clam secretly; related to Latin celāre to hide
Derived forms of clandestine
- clandestinely, adverb
- clandestineness, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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