secret society

noun

an organization, as a fraternal society, the members of which take secret initiation oaths, share secret passwords and rites, and are bound to assist each other.

Origin of secret society

First recorded in 1820–30

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for secret society

Historical Examples of secret society

"Secret-society stuff," he said to himself as he slapped his way out of the marsh.
Skippy Bedelle
Owen Johnson
Now, Switzerland has been for hundreds of years a centre of revolutionary and secret-society intrigue.
Secret Societies And Subversive Movements
Nesta H. Webster
Field was raw and not a bit deferential to established customs, and so the secret-society men were not attracted to him.
Eugene Field, A Study In Heredity And Contradictions
Slason Thompson
One consolation is that this sort of secret-society biznai will drive King wild.
Stalky & Co.
Rudyard Kipling

British Dictionary definitions for secret society

secret society

noun

a society or organization that conceals its rites, activities, etc, from those who are not members

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012