secretary

sec·re·tary

noun \ˈse-krə-ˌter-ē, ˈse-kə-ˌter-, in rapid speech also ˈsek-ˌter-, especially British ˈse-k(r)ə-trē\

plural sec·re·tar·ies

Definition of SECRETARY

1

: one employed to handle correspondence and manage routine and detail work for a superior

2

a : an officer of a business concern who may keep records of directors' and stockholders' meetings and of stock ownership and transfer and help supervise the company's legal interests

b : an officer of an organization or society responsible for its records and correspondence

3

: an officer of state who superintends a government administrative department <the secretary of labor>

4

a : writing desk, escritoire

b : a writing desk with a top section for books

— sec·re·tar·i·al \ˌse-krə-ˈter-ē-əl\ adjective

— sec·re·tary·ship \ˈse-krə-ˌter-ē-ˌship\ noun

Examples of SECRETARY

1. You can set up an appointment with my secretary.
2. He works as a legal secretary.
3. He was the club's secretary.
4. He is a junior secretary at the embassy.

Illustration of SECRETARY

Origin of SECRETARY

Middle English secretarie, from Medieval Latin secretarius, confidential employee, secretary, from Latin secretum secret, from neuter of secretus

First Known Use: 15th century

Related to SECRETARY

Synonyms

register, registrar, scribe, clerk

Related Words

archivist, bookkeeper, recorder, reporter, transcriptionist; annalist, chronicler, documenter, historian

Other Business Terms

amortize, caveat emptor, clearinghouse, divest, due diligence, emolument, green-collar, marque, overhead, perquisite