Dictionary Definition: obtained, done, made, etc., by stealth; secret or unauthorized.
I think I remember the first time I ever heard this word. Or it may just be the most prevalent memory I have of hearing the word. I went to see Wicked with my family at the National Theatre in Washington, D.C. In the song, "Thank Goodness". Madame Morrible was describing how Elphaba "snuck" into the Wizard's Chambers when he was about to proclaim Glinda as "The Good":
Then with a jealous squeal
The Wicked Witch burst from concealment
Where she had been lurking-surrepetitially!
Yes, it's not the right form of the word, but the Oz-ians used interesting variations of common words.
Since then, I liked the word surreptitious.
Even the sound of it is surreptitious.
The way that you can elongate the "surrrrrrr" and barely move your mouth to liquify "titious".
Sssssssssneaky. Sssssssssly. Ssssssssssssssssurrept-titious!
Tanney, I love how much you relish your words. I feel the same about the word DELICIOUS. It's just the best word ever, and so fun to say.
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