Changes

==Etymology==

==Etymology==

[http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=English#ca._1100-1500_.09THE_MIDDLE_ENGLISH_PERIOD Middle English], from Anglo-French secré, secret, from [[Latin]] secretus, from past participle of secernere to separate, distinguish, from se- apart + cernere to sift  

[https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=English#ca._1100-1500_.09THE_MIDDLE_ENGLISH_PERIOD Middle English], from Anglo-French secré, secret, from [[Latin]] secretus, from past participle of secernere to separate, distinguish, from se- apart + cernere to sift  

*Date: [http://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/14th_Century 14th century]

*Date: [https://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/14th_Century 14th century]

==Definitions==

==Definitions==

*1 a : kept from knowledge or view : hidden  

*1 a : kept from [[knowledge]] or view : [[Private|hidden]]

:b : marked by the habit of discretion : closemouthed  

:b : marked by the [[habit]] of discretion : closemouthed  

:c : working with hidden aims or methods : undercover <a secret agent>  

:c : working with hidden aims or [[methods]] : undercover <a secret agent>  

:d : not acknowledged : unavowed <a secret bride>  

:d : not acknowledged : unavowed <a secret bride>  

:e : conducted in secret <a secret trial>

:e : conducted in secret <a secret [[trial]]>

*2 : remote from human frequentation or notice : secluded

*2 : remote from human frequentation or notice : secluded

83 : revealed only to the initiated : esoteric

83 : revealed only to the initiated : [[esoteric]]

*4 : designed to elude observation or detection <a secret panel>

*4 : designed to elude [[observation]] or detection <a secret panel>

*5 : containing information whose unauthorized disclosure could endanger national security — compare confidential, top secret

*5 : containing [[information]] whose unauthorized disclosure could endanger national [[security]] — compare [[confidential]], top secret

 

==Synonyms==

==Synonyms==

covert, stealthy, furtive, clandestine, surreptitious

covert, [[stealthy]], furtive, clandestine, surreptitious

==Description==

==Description==

'''Secrecy''' (also called clandestinity or furtiveness) is the [[practice]] of hiding [[information]] from certain [[individuals]] or [[groups]], perhaps while [[sharing]] it with other individuals. That which is kept hidden is known as the secret.

'''Secrecy''' (also called clandestinity or furtiveness) is the [[practice]] of hiding [[information]] from certain [[individuals]] or [[groups]], perhaps while [[sharing]] it with other individuals. That which is kept hidden is known as the secret.

Secrecy is often controversial, depending on the [[content]] of the secret, the group or people keeping the secret, and the [[motivation]] for secrecy. Secrecy by [[government]] entities is often decried as excessive or in promotion of poor operation; excessive [[revelation]] of [[information]] on individuals can [[conflict]] with [[virtues]] of [[privacy]] and confidentiality.

Secrecy is often controversial, depending on the [[content]] of the secret, the group or people keeping the secret, and the [[motivation]] for secrecy. Secrecy by [[government]] entities is often decried as excessive or in promotion of poor operation; excessive [[revelation]] of [[information]] on individuals can [[conflict]] with [[virtues]] of [[privacy]] and confidentiality.

==See also==

==See also==

*'''''[[Occult]]'''''

*'''''[[Occult]]'''''

[[Category: General Reference]]

[[Category: General Reference]]