释义 |
secretly, adv.|ˈsiːkrɪtlɪ| [f. secret + -ly2.] 1. In a secret manner, in secret, not openly.
c1386[see secrely]. 1447O. Bokenham Seyntys i. 769 (Horstm.) For lernyd he hadde ful secretlye Of a prest..whan he shuld dye. 1537Wriothesley Chron. (1875) I. 43 The King was maried secreetly at Chelsey, in Middlesex, to one Jane Seymor. 1596Shakes. Merch. V. ii. iii. 7 Giue him this Letter, doe it secretly. a1700Evelyn Diary 18 June 1690, The Duke of Savoy.. did seacretly concert measures with, and afterwards declar'd for them. 1766Goldsm. Vic. W. iv, I still found them secretly attached to all their former finery. 1878Lecky Eng. in 18th C. I. i. 119 He was secretly negotiating with the Pretender. †b. With a hidden meaning. Obs. rare.
c1430Lydg. Min. Poems (Percy Soc.) 119 Poetis of olde fables han contryved,..By whiche theyr witte was secretely approved. 1632Guillim's Heraldry iii. ii. (ed. 2) 115 This did the Poets secretly expresse, when they preferred Pallas to be the Gouernesse of Learning. †c. Indirectly. Obs. rare—1.
1656Ridgley Pract. Physick 227 Antidotes for the Malignity, yet such as secretly respect the disease. †2. In concealment or retirement. Obs. rare.
1535Coverdale Ps. xxx. 20 Thou hydest them priuely by thine owne presence from the proude men, thou kepest them secretly in thy tabernacle, from the strife of tongues. 1599Shakes. Much Ado iv. i. 205 Your daughter heere the Princesse (left for dead) Let her awhile be secretly kept in. 3. In an inaudible voice.
1608Topsell Serpents 161 The dragon..falleth asleepe, the Indians in the meane-season watching, & muttering secretly words of Incantation. 1841A. R. C. Dallas Past. Superintend. 203 Repeating the Lord's Prayer after the Bishop; and afterwards joining secretly in the prayers which follow. |