How Do You Spell SECRECY?

Pronunciation: [sˈiːkɹəsˌi] (IPA)

The spelling of the word "secrecy" is based on the English language's irregularities. The first syllable "se-" is pronounced as /ˈsiː/, the "cr" is pronounced as /k/ and the "y" is pronounced as /i/. Together the word is pronounced as /ˈsiːkrəsi/. Despite some students thinking it is spelled "secrecy" with an "i" instead of "e", it has been spelled with an "e" since its introduction in the English language in the 17th century. "Secrecy" meaning the act of keeping something private or hidden.

SECRECY Meaning and Definition

  1. Secrecy is a noun that refers to the state or quality of being secretive, concealed, or hidden from view, knowledge, or disclosure. It involves withholding or protecting information or actions in order to limit access to them.

    In the context of personal relationships, secrecy pertains to deliberately withholding or keeping certain information, thoughts, feelings, or intentions from others. It involves a conscious decision to keep something hidden or confidential, often for personal or strategic reasons.

    In the realm of government and organizational affairs, secrecy refers to the intentional safeguarding of information, decisions, or operations from public knowledge or unauthorized access. It involves limiting disclosure to a select few individuals or groups, primarily to maintain security, protect classified data, or safeguard sensitive matters.

    Secrecy can stem from various motivations, such as ensuring personal privacy, preserving confidentiality, maintaining security, preventing leaks, protecting intellectual property, avoiding potential harm, or strategically planning and executing operations without revealing crucial details.

    Although secrecy can serve legitimate purposes, excessive secrecy can also lead to suspicion, lack of transparency, and erosion of trust. It is often seen as a double-edged sword, capable of protecting crucial information or intentions but also potentially hindering accountability, democratic processes, and open communication.

    In summary, secrecy refers to the act of intentionally concealing information, thoughts, actions, or intentions either in personal, organizational, or governmental contexts. It can be employed for legitimate purposes but may also raise concerns about transparency, accountability, and trust.

  2. State of being secret; solitude; retirement; privacy; concealment from all persons except those concerned; close silence; in secret, privately; in a state or place not seen.

    Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Top Common Misspellings for SECRECY *

* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.

Other Common Misspellings for SECRECY

Etymology of SECRECY

The word "secrecy" has its roots in the Latin word "secretum", which is the neuter form of the adjective "secretus". "Secretus" originated from the past participle of the verb "secernere", meaning "to separate" or "to set apart". It initially referred to something that was hidden or concealed. Over time, it evolved into the noun "secretum", which denoted a secret or private matter. In English, it eventually developed into the word "secrecy", which refers to the state or condition of being secret or concealed.

Idioms with the word SECRECY

  • cloak sm or sth in secrecy The idiom "cloak someone or something in secrecy" means to hide, conceal, or keep someone or something secret or confidential. It implies that the information or actions are kept away from public knowledge or scrutiny.
  • cloak (someone or something) in secrecy The idiom "cloak (someone or something) in secrecy" means to carefully conceal or hide someone or something from public knowledge or scrutiny. It suggests keeping information, actions, or intentions confidential and restricted to a select few people.
  • be shrouded in secrecy/mystery The idiom "be shrouded in secrecy/mystery" means that something is concealed or hidden from public knowledge or understanding. It suggests that there is limited information or knowledge available about a particular person, event, or situation, creating an aura of uncertainty and intrigue.
  • wrapped (up) in secrecy The idiom "wrapped (up) in secrecy" means the act of concealing or keeping something hidden or secret. It refers to a situation or information that is kept confidential or undisclosed, typically through deliberate efforts to maintain secrecy.

Similar spelling words for SECRECY

Plural form of SECRECY is SECRECIES

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