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secret society

noun
  1. 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.
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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.

  • Field was raw and not a bit deferential to established customs, and so the secret-society men were not attracted to him.

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