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surreptitious

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surreptitious

Pronunciation

surreptitious (səˌɹɛpˈtɪʃəs / ˌsʌɹəpˈtɪʃəs)

Here's the IPA breakdown of "surreptitious" by syllable:

  • sur- (səˌɹ)

    • s (sə) - unvoiced alveolar fricative

    • ə (ə) - schwa, mid central vowel

    • ɹ (ɹ) - alveolar approximant (r sound)

  • rep- (ɹɛp)

    • ɹ (ɹ) - alveolar approximant (r sound)

    • ɛ (ɛ) - near-low front unrounded vowel

    • p (p) - voiceless bilabial plosive

  • ti- (tɪ)

    • t (t) - voiceless alveolar plosive

    • ɪ (ɪ) - near-high front unrounded vowel

  • tious (ʃəs)

    • ʃ (ʃ) - voiceless postalveolar fricative (sh sound)

    • ə (ə) - schwa, mid central vowel

    • s (s) - voiceless alveolar fricative

Note:

  • There are some variations in pronunciation for "surreptitious" in American English. The two most common pronunciations are listed above.

Word Form Variations

"Surreptitious" itself doesn't have any variations based on singular, plural, tense, etc. It's an adjective describing something done secretly.

However, there are related word forms derived from "surreptitious":

  • Adverb: surreptitiously (describes how something is done in a secret way)

  • Noun: surreptitiousness (describes the quality of being secretive or done in a hidden manner)

Definitions, Synonyms, Antonyms

Part of Speech: Adjective

  • Definition: Done, acquired, or acting in a secret or stealthy way, often to avoid detection and potentially for dishonest purposes.

  • Synonyms: clandestine, covert, underhanded, furtive, sneaky, sly, clandestine, cloak-and-dagger, hush-hush

  • Antonyms: open, overt, aboveboard, direct, straightforward, honest

Part of Speech: Adverb (derived from the adjective)

  • Definition: In a secret or stealthy way.

  • Synonyms: clandestinely, covertly, underhandedly, furtively, sneakily, slyly

  • Antonyms: openly, overtly, aboveboard, directly, straightforwardly, honestly

Note: There is no verb form of "surreptitious" commonly used in English.

Bonus: Noun (derived from the adjective)

  • Definition (less common): The quality of being secretive or done in a hidden manner.

  • Synonyms (less common): clandestineness, secrecy, stealthiness

  • Antonyms (less common): openness, overtness, straightforwardness

Examples of Use

Books:

  • Mystery: "Holmes crouched behind a crate, making surreptitious notes on the suspects milling about the room." 

  • Historical Fiction: "Fearful of the new regime, the resistance fighters held surreptitious meetings in the dead of night." 

Newspapers:

  • Headline: "Surreptitious Recordings Raise Questions About Politician's Conduct" 

Online Publications:

  • Tech Blog: "The app claims to offer 'surreptitious messaging,' but is it worth the privacy risk?" 

Entertainment Mediums:

  • Spy Movie: The sleek assassin slipped through the shadows, using surreptitious movements to avoid detection.

  • Espionage Thriller TV Show: The team devised a plan for a surreptitious data transfer from the enemy compound.

General Public Discourse:

  • "The neighbors were acting suspiciously, peeking out their blinds and making surreptitious phone calls."

  • "I don't appreciate your surreptitious glances at my exam paper!"

10 Famous Quotes Using the term Surreptitious

Finding ten famous quotes directly using "surreptitious" might be challenging due to the word's formality. Here are some creative adaptations:

Classic Literature (referencing secrecy):

  1. William Shakespeare, Othello: "Good name in man and woman, dear my lord, / Is the immediate jewel of their souls: / Who steals my purse steals trash; 'tis something, nothing; / 'Twas mine, 'tis his, and has been slave to thousands; / But he that filches from me my good name / Robs me of that which not enriches him / And makes me poor indeed." (This quote, though not using "surreptitious," captures the idea of something valuable being taken secretly.)

Modern Works (paraphrasing or using synonyms):

  1. Edward Snowden (whistleblower): "I did not want to hurt the United States. I did not want to help our enemies. I did what I did because I believed it was the right thing to do." (This quote highlights acting against authority for a greater good, similar to potentially using "surreptitious" methods for a noble cause.)

  2. George Orwell, 1984: "War is peace. Freedom is slavery. Ignorance is strength." (This quote, by using paradoxical statements, implies hidden manipulation and control, similar to "surreptitious" tactics.)

Quotes About Cunning (where "surreptitious" could be used metaphorically):

  1. Sun Tzu, The Art of War: "All warfare is based on deception." (This quote emphasises the importance of hidden strategies, similar to using "surreptitious" methods.)

  2. Niccolò Machiavelli, The Prince: "It is better to be feared than loved." (This quote suggests a sly, manipulative approach, potentially using "surreptitious" means to achieve control.)

Fictional Quotes (where "surreptitious" might be used in dialogue):

  1. Professor Moriarty (Fictional, Sherlock Holmes): "Elementary, my dear Watson, it appears someone has made a rather... surreptitious attempt to alter the evidence."

  2. Captain America (Fictional): "There's nothing wrong with keeping secrets. But there is a difference between secrets and lies." (This quote highlights the difference between justified secrecy and hidden deception, similar to the potential positive or negative connotations of "surreptitious.")

Humorous Takes:

  1. Bugs Bunny (Fictional): "Eh, what's up, Doc?" (While not directly related, Bugs Bunny's character often relies on sneaky tactics to outsmart foes.)

These last two are metaphorical uses:

  1. Environmental Quote: "Climate change is a slow and surreptitious threat to our planet." (Similar to rising sea levels mentioned before, this metaphorically describes a hidden danger.)

  2. Technology Quote: "Targeted advertising can feel almost surreptitious, following us around the internet." (This metaphorically suggests hidden manipulation based on online behaviour.)

Etymology

The word "surreptitious" is like a secret agent on a mission – its origin involves hidden actions! Here's the breakdown:

  • Origin: The word comes from Latin, where "surreptitius" meant "acting secretly" or "obtained by stealth."

  • First Use: The first time we see "surreptitious" pop up in English is around the mid-1500s, thanks to a famous writer named Thomas More.

  • Breakdown:

    • "Sur-" in Latin means "creeping up" or "secretly."

    • "Repere" means "to creep" in Latin.

    • "-titious" is like an English suffix meaning "full of" or "acting like."

So, "surreptitious" basically means "full of creeping" or "acting in a secret, sneaky way." It's like something a spy might do!

Phrases + Idioms Containing the term Surreptitious

  • While there aren't many common idioms directly using "surreptitious," here are some phrases and expressions that incorporate the word and capture its meaning:

    • Surreptitious glance/look: A quick, secret peek.

    • Surreptitious meeting/conversation: A clandestine gathering or discussion meant to be hidden.

    • Surreptitious entry/entrance: Sneaking in somewhere unnoticed.

    • Engage in surreptitious activities: Participating in secret or shady actions.

    • Made a surreptitious move: Performed a stealthy action, often to gain an advantage.

    • Under a cloak of surreptition: Done in a completely hidden and secretive manner. (This is a more figurative way to use the word.)

    Here are some bonus idioms that share a similar meaning to "surreptitious":

    • Under the table: Done secretly or without being officially acknowledged.

    • Behind someone's back: Done without someone's knowledge or approval.

    • In the shadows: Operating in a hidden or secretive way.

Posts Related to Surreptitious

Source Information

Definition of surreptitious from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.