ENGLISH
REFERENCE

secrecy

n.
US //ˈsikɹəsi// UK //sˈiːkɹəsˌi// se·cre·cy
  1. 1 state of being hidden (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    the state of being kept secret or hidden from other people.

    the condition of being concealed or kept from public knowledge. Uncountable in this general sense.

    Example

    The government operated in total secrecy while planning the new law.

    Example

    The entire operation was shrouded in secrecy, with only a handful of senior officials aware of the mission's true objectives.
  2. 2 habit of keeping secrets (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    the habit of keeping your actions or thoughts hidden from others.

    the quality or characteristic of being secretive or inclined to keep secrets.

    Example

    His natural secrecy made it very difficult for his friends to help him.

    Example

    Her habitual secrecy regarding her past led to significant tension within the family as more questions remained unanswered.
Origin

Alteration (on model of primacy, etc) of Late Middle English secretee, from Old French secré.

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