surreptitious
Meaning: Done secretly or by stealth, especially because the action would not be approved of if discovered.
Surreptitious emphasises furtiveness and the desire to avoid detection. Unlike 'covert,' which can be neutral or even positive (covert operations), surreptitious nearly always implies that the secrecy exists because the action is improper, forbidden, or embarrassing. It is commonly applied to glances, recordings, movements, and communications.
Examples
- She cast a surreptitious glance at her phone under the table during the meeting. 会议期间,她偷偷地在桌子下面瞥了一眼手机。Echó una mirada furtiva a su teléfono bajo la mesa durante la reunión.会議中、彼女はテーブルの下でこっそり携帯電話に目をやった。회의 중에 그녀는 테이블 아래에서 몰래 휴대전화를 흘끗 보았다.
- The surreptitious recording of the conversation was ruled inadmissible by the judge. 那段秘密录制的对话被法官裁定为不可采信的证据。La grabación subrepticia de la conversación fue declarada inadmisible por el juez.その会話の密かな録音は、裁判官によって証拠として不採用とされた。그 대화의 은밀한 녹음은 판사에 의해 증거로 불채택 되었다.
- He made surreptitious notes on the back of his programme throughout the lecture. 他在整场讲座中都在节目单背面偷偷做笔记。Tomó notas furtivas en el reverso del programa durante toda la conferencia.彼は講演の間中、プログラムの裏にひそかにメモを取っていた。그는 강연 내내 프로그램 뒷면에 몰래 메모를 했다.
Pronunciation
Usage Guide
Context: journalism, legal, literary
Tone: disapproving
Origin & History
From Latin surrepticius, from surripere meaning to seize secretly, from sub (under) and rapere (to seize). Entered English in the 15th century.
Cultural Context
Era: Modern
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
More From This Topic
More from General Advanced
Flashcards, quizzes, audio pronunciation & spaced repetition — all free