hugger-mugger
Use Hugger-mugger in a sentence
ərˌmʌg noun
1.
disorder or confusion; muddle.
2.
secrecy; reticence: Why is there such hugger-mugger about the scheme?
verb (used with object)
5.
to keep secret or concealed; hush up.
00:10
Hugger-mugger
is one of our favorite verbs.
So is peculate. Does it mean:
| to steal or take dishonestly (money, esp. public funds, or property entrusted to one's care); embezzle. |
| to bark; yelp. |
verb (used without object)
6.
to act secretly.
Origin:
1520–30; earlier hucker-mucker, rhyming compound based on mucker, Middle English mokeren to hoard
1520–30; earlier hucker-mucker, rhyming compound based on mucker, Middle English mokeren to hoard
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source
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Link To hugger-mugger
Collins
World English Dictionary
hugger-mugger (ˈhʌɡəˌmʌɡə) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —n | |
| 1. | confusion |
| 2. | rare secrecy |
| —adj, —adv | |
| 3. | with secrecy |
| 4. | in confusion |
| —vb | |
| 5. | (tr) to keep secret |
| 6. | (intr) to act secretly |
| [C16: of uncertain origin] | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
Dictionary.com's 21st Century Lexicon
| Main Entry: | hugger-mugger1 |
| Part of Speech: | adj |
| Definition: | confused; muddled |
| Main Entry: | hugger-mugger1 |
| Part of Speech: | adv |
| Definition: | secretly |
| Main Entry: | hugger-mugger1 |
| Part of Speech: | n |
| Definition: | a state of confusion; muddle |
| Main Entry: | hugger-mugger2 |
| Part of Speech: | adj |
| Definition: | secret |
| Main Entry: | hugger-mugger2 |
| Part of Speech: | adv |
| Definition: | in a muddle or confusion |
| Main Entry: | hugger-mugger2 |
| Part of Speech: | n |
| Definition: | secrecy; concealment |
| Main Entry: | hugger-mugger |
| Part of Speech: | v |
| Definition: | to keep secret; to act clandestinely |
Example sentences
Hugger-mugger is part of life, especially under modern political conditions.
Nearby Words
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