3. Seclusion; privacy; retirement. "The pensive secrecy of desert
cell." Milton.
4. The quality of being secretive; fidelity to a secret; forbearance of
disclosure or discovery.
It is not with public as with private prayer; in this, rather
secrecy is commanded than outward show.
Hooker.
Se"cre*ly (?), adv. Secretly. [Obs.] Chaucer.
Se"cre*ness, n. Secrecy; privacy. [Obs.] Chaucer.
Se"cret (?), a. [F. secret (cf. Sp. & Pg. secreto, It. secreto,
segreto), fr. L. secretus, p. p. of secernere to put apart, to
separate. See Certain, and cf. Secrete, Secern.] 1. Hidden; concealed;
as, secret treasure; secret plans; a secret vow. Shak.
The secret things belong unto the Lord our God; but those things
which are revealed belong unto us.
Deut. xxix. 29.
2. Withdrawn from general intercourse or notice; in retirement or
secrecy; secluded.
There, secret in her sapphire cell, He with the Naïs wont to dwell.
Fenton.
3. Faithful to a secret; not inclined to divulge or betray confidence;
secretive. [R.]
Secret Romans, that have spoke the word, And will not palter.
Shak.