secret

Noun · Adjective

Synonyms: arcanum mystery enigma closed book clandestine cloak-and-dagger hole-and-corner(a)hugger-mugger hush-hush surreptitious undercover underground

WordNet 3.0

Noun (3)

something that should remain hidden from others (especially information that is not to be passed on)“the combination to the safe was a secret”“he tried to keep his drinking a secret”
information known only to a special group“the secret of Cajun cooking”Synonyms: arcanum
something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained“how it got out is a mystery”“it remains one of nature's secrets”Synonyms: mystery enigma closed book

Adjective (11)

not open or public; kept private or not revealed“a secret formula”“secret ingredients”“secret talks”
conducted with or marked by hidden aims or methods“clandestine intelligence operations”“cloak-and-dagger activities behind enemy lines”“hole-and-corner intrigue”“secret missions”“a secret agent”“secret sales of arms”“surreptitious mobilization of troops”“an undercover investigation”“underground resistance”Synonyms: clandestine cloak-and-dagger hole-and-corner(a)hugger-mugger hush-hush surreptitious undercover underground
not openly made known“a secret marriage”“a secret bride”Synonyms: unavowed
communicated covertly“their secret signal was a wink”“secret messages”
not expressed“secret (or private) thoughts”Synonyms: private
designed to elude detection“a hidden room or place of concealment such as a priest hole”“a secret passage”“the secret compartment in the desk”Synonyms: hidden
hidden from general view or use“a privy place to rest and think”“a secluded romantic spot”“a secret garden”Synonyms: privy secluded
(of information) given in confidence or in secret“this arrangement must be kept confidential”“their secret communications”Synonyms: confidential
indulging only covertly“a secret alcoholic”
having an import not apparent to the senses nor obvious to the intelligence; beyond ordinary understanding“mysterious symbols”“the mystical style of Blake”“occult lore”“the secret learning of the ancients”Synonyms: mysterious mystic mystical occult orphic
the next to highest level of official classification for documents

Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

Secret \Se"cret\, a. [F. secret (cf. Sp. & Pg. secreto, It. secreto, segreto), fr. L. secretus, p. p. of secernere to put apart, to separate. See Certain, and cf. Secrete, Secern.]

1.Hidden; concealed; as, secret treasure; secret plans; a secret vow. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

The secret things belong unto the Lord our God; but those things which are revealed belong unto us.— Deut. xxix. 29.[1913 Webster]

2.Withdrawn from general intercourse or notice; in retirement or secrecy; secluded. [1913 Webster]

There, secret in her sapphire cell, He with the Nais wont to dwell.— Fenton.[1913 Webster]

3.Faithful to a secret; not inclined to divulge or betray confidence; secretive. [R.] [1913 Webster]

Secret Romans, that have spoke the word, And will not palter.— Shak.[1913 Webster]

4.Separate; distinct. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]

They suppose two other divine hypostases superior thereunto, which were perfectly secret from matter.— Cudworth.[1913 Webster]

Syn: Hidden; concealed; secluded; retired; unseen; unknown; private; obscure; recondite; latent; covert; clandestine; privy. See Hidden. [1913 Webster]

Secret \Se"cret\, n. [F. secret (cf. Pr. secret, Sp. & Pg. secreto, It. secreto, segreto), from L. secretum. See Secret, a.]

1.Something studiously concealed; a thing kept from general knowledge; what is not revealed, or not to be revealed. [1913 Webster]

To tell our own secrets is often folly; to communicate those of others is treachery.— Rambler.[1913 Webster]

2.A thing not discovered; what is unknown or unexplained; a mystery. [1913 Webster]

All secrets of the deep, all nature's works.— Milton.[1913 Webster]

3.pl. The parts which modesty and propriety require to be concealed; the genital organs. [1913 Webster]

In secret, in a private place; in privacy or secrecy; in a state or place not seen; privately. [1913 Webster]

Bread eaten in secret is pleasant.— Prov. ix. 17.[1913 Webster]

Secret \Se"cret\, v. t. To keep secret. [Obs.] --Bacon. [1913 Webster]

classified \classified\ adj.

1.arranged into classes or categories; as, unclassified.

Syn: categorized. [WordNet 1.5 +PJC]

2.assigned to a class of documents withheld from general circulation; -- of information or documents. Opposite of unclassified.

Note: [Narrower terms: eyes-only; confidential; restricted; secret; sensitive; top-secret] [WordNet 1.5]