Where does “secretly” come from?
Secretly comes from Middle English -ly and Old English -līċ, forming an adverb from Latin secretus, meaning hidden or set apart, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European roots related to separation and setting aside.
secretly (English): In secret, covertly
Definitions
- In secret, covertly
Ancestry of “secretly”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | Secret | A piece of knowledge that is hidden and intended to be kept hidden |
| 2 | Middle English | secrette | — |
| 3 | Old French | secret | — |
| 4 | Latin | sēcrētus | put apart, sundered, severed, separated, having been separated |
| 5 | Ancient Greek | ἀγωγός | leading, guiding; guide, escort; leading to |
| 6 | Ancient Greek | ἄγω | to lead, fetch, bring along (a living creature), take with |
| 7 | Proto-Hellenic | ágō | to lead, to guide |
| 8 | Proto-Indo-European | h₂éǵeti | to be driving |
| 9 | Proto-Indo-European | h₂eǵ- | to drive |