Advertisement
clandestine (adj.)
"secret, private, hidden, furtive," 1560s, from Latin clandestinus "secret, hidden," from clam "secretly," from adverbial derivative of base of celare "to hide" (from PIE root *kel- (1) "to cover, conceal, save"), perhaps on model of intestinus "internal." Related: Clandestinely. As a noun form, there is awkward clandestinity (clandestineness apparently being a dictionary word).
updated on December 16, 2017
Advertisement
Advertisement
Dictionary entries near clandestine
clamour
clamp
clamp-down
clam-shell
clan
clandestine
clang
clangor
clangorous
clank
clannish