clandestine English · revision 2470

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /klænˈdɛstɪn/, /klænˈdɛstaɪn/, /ˈklændɪstaɪn/^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[bor|la|clandestīnus|t=secret, hidden]],^(AHD)^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline) perhaps by way of [[frm|clandestin]],^(MW Collegiate)^(Barnhart 1995) [[der|la|clam|t=secretly]],^(AHD)^(Etymonline)^(MW Collegiate) related to [[la|cēlō|t=to hide]].^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)^(MW Collegiate) The ending was probably modelled on [[la|intestīnus|t=internal]].^(AHD)^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)^(RHWU)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Secret, private or concealed, usually implying craft or deception (1566).^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ From its first use the word has suggested secrecy for an improper or illicit purpose rather than mere privacy.^(OED 1989)^(AHD) Merriam-Webster dates it to about 1528.^(MW Collegiate) A rare noun use, “an underhand proceeding”, and a verb phrase ''to clandestine it'' are recorded in 1656.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * about 1528 – first date given by Merriam-Webster.^(MW Collegiate)

+ * 1566 – secret, concealed, underhand.^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1995)

+ * 1656 – noun, an underhand proceeding.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Done in secret, often to hide an illicit or improper purpose.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[clandestinely]]

+ * [[clandestineness]]

+ * [[clandestinity]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[conceal]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ Random House lists ''hidden'', ''underhand'', ''confidential'' and ''illicit'' as synonyms.^(RHWU)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}