Clandestine
Pronunciation
- Hyphenation: clan + des + tine
- IPA: /klænˈdɛstɪn/
- Rhymes: -ɛstɪn
Origin
From French clandestin, derived from Latin clandestīnus ("secret, concealed").
Full definition of clandestine
Adjective
clandestine
- Done or kept in secret, sometimes to conceal an illicit or improper purpose.
- 1793, Charlotte Smith, s:The_Old_Manor_House Chapter 1, Monimia, who while she yielded to his earnest entreaties had always felt, from the natural rectitude of her understanding, the impropriety of their clandestine correspondence, would, he feared, be more than ever sensible of her indiscretion, when she found that a servant was entrusted with it...
- 1818, Jane Austen, s:Northanger Abbey Chapter 31, Whether the torments of absence were softened by a clandestine correspondence, let us not inquire. Mr. and Mrs. Morland never did.
- 1878, Thomas Hardy, s:The Return of the Native Chapter 11, Wildeve's clandestine plan with her was to take a little gravel in his hand and hold it to the crevice at the top of the window shutter, which was on the outside, so that it should fall with a gentle rustle, resembling that of a mouse, between shutter and glass.
- 1912, G. K. Chesterton, s:Manalive Chapter 9, Lady Bullingdon could not, of course, countenance such an arrangement for a moment, and the two unhappy persons escaped for a clandestine marriage.
- 1922, H. P. Lovecraft, s:Herbert West: Reanimator, Bodies were always a nuisance -- even the small guinea-pig bodies from the slight clandestine experiments in West’s room at the boarding-house.
- 1924, Herman Melville, s:Billy Budd Chapter 13, Probably, the Master-at-arms' clandestine persecution of Billy was started to try the temper of the man...
- 2003, Fugue, As I stand at the edge of existence; nameless shores of infinity. Perpetual unbirth unraveling distance, clandestine truths unveiled.
- 2004 — Penny ArcadeIn my imagination, all work place encounters between men and women result in clandestine sex.
- 2005 — Stewart Lee, 90's Comedian DVD''And I don't want anyone to think I dislike Catholicism because I don't. It's actually my favourite form of clandestine global evil.
- (freemasonry, of a person or lodge) Not recognized as a regular member.