Clandestine - Dictionary Definition and Overview

Clandestine : adj : conducted with or marked by hidden aims or methods; "clandestine intelligence operations"; "cloak-and-dagger activities behind enemy lines"; "hole-and-corner intrigue"; "secret missions"; "a secret agent"; "secret sales of arms"; "surreptitious mobilization of troops"; "an undercover investigation"; "underground resistance" [syn: cloak-and-dagger, hole-and-corner(a), hugger-mugger, hush-hush, on the quiet(p), secret, surreptitious, undercover, underground]

Based on WordNet 2.0

Clandestine : \Clan*des"tine\, a. [L. clandestinus, fr. clam secretly; akin to celare, E. conceal: cf. F. clandestin.] Conducted with secrecy; withdrawn from public notice, usually for an evil purpose; kept secret; hidden; private; underhand; as, a clandestine marriage. --Locke.

Syn: Hidden; secret; private; concealed; underhand; sly; stealthy; surreptitious; furtive; fraudulent. --
Clan*des"tine*ly, adv. -- Clan*des"tine*ness, n.

Based on Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary

CLANDESTINE. That which is done in secret and contrary to law. 2.Generally aClandestine : act in case of the limitation of actions will prevent the act from running. A clandestine marriage is one which has been contracted without the form which the law has prescribed for this important contract. Alis. Princ. 543

Based on Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)