| 释义 |
secretive, a.|ˈsiːkrətɪv, sɪˈkriːtɪv|
Also 5 secretife.
[In 15th c. f. secret a. + -ive. In mod. use, a back-formation from secretiveness; but apprehended as f. secrete v. + -ive.]
†1. = secret a. Obs. rare—1. (Used for rime.)
c1470Harding Chron. clxxviii. ii, In chambre priuey and secretife [rime-word wife].
2. a. Of persons, their feelings, habits, etc.: Addicted or inclined to secrecy; reticent; not frank or open.
1853C. Brontë Villette ix, These things, contrary to her custom, and even nature—for she was not secretive—were most sedulously kept out of sight for a time. 1884Harper's Mag. June 99/2 She was a shy, secretive maid. 1908Hibbert Jrnl. Oct. 30 So secretive is this tribe that my patient inquiries have not even elicited their true name.
b. transf. of things. Also of looks, etc.: Indicating secretiveness.
1865A. Smith Summer in Skye I. 311 O'er his dark face there flitted A secretive smile. 1866Thornbury Greatheart I. 320 There was something secretive and sad about the sites of the graves. 1871Lowell Study Wind. 40 The evening lamps look yellower by contrast with the snow, and give the windows that hearty look of which our secretive fires have almost robbed them. 1892‘Merriman’ Slave of Lamp vii, The Citizen Morot raised his secretive eyes.
3. Serving to conceal. rare.
1830I. Taylor Unitar. 82 The pews.., secretive in their intention. |