Main Entry:

sur·rep·ti·tious

Pronunciation:

\ˌsər-əp-ˈti-shəs, ˌsə-rəp-, sə-ˌrep-\

Function:

adjective

Etymology:

Middle English, from Latin surrepticius, from surreptus, past participle of surripere to snatch secretly, from sub- + rapere to seize — more at rapid

Date:

15th century

1 : done, made, or acquired by stealth : clandestine 2 : acting or doing something clandestinely : stealthy <a surreptitious glance>

synonyms see secret

— sur·rep·ti·tious·ly adverb