sub rosa

[ suhb roh-zuh ]

/ sʌb ˈroʊ zə /

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adverb

confidentially; secretly; privately.

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Origin of sub rosa

First recorded in 1650–60; from Latin sub rosā literally, “under the rose,” from the ancient use of the rose at meetings as a symbol of the sworn confidence of the participants, based on the Greek myth that Aphrodite gave a rose to her son Eros, who then gave the rose to Harpocrates, the god of silence and secrets, to ensure that Aphrodite’s dalliances remained hidden

Words nearby sub rosa

subright, subring, Subroc, subrogate, subrogation, sub rosa, subround, subroutine, sub-Saharan, subsample, subsatellite

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use sub rosa in a sentence

“One-third of South Asians and more than half of all Sub-Saharan Africans suffer from malnutrition or undernutrition,” he writes.
The History of the Chicken: How This Humble Bird Saved Humanity|William O’Connor|December 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
About one in three girls in sub-Saharan Africa experience sexual violence before turning 18.
To End HIV, Stop Violence Against Adolescent Girls|Michele Moloney-Kitts|November 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
This fate is unfortunately not rare for girls, especially in sub-Saharan Africa.
To End HIV, Stop Violence Against Adolescent Girls|Michele Moloney-Kitts|November 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Many Obama administration sub-Cabinet positions (e.g. Surgeon General) have gone unfilled because of GOP opposition.
If You Think D.C. Is Awful Now, Wait Until Wednesday|Jonathan Alter|November 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Actually, Rosa Parks refused to move, and kept her seat on a Montgomery, Alabama bus.
How Rock and Roll Killed Jim Crow|Dennis McNally|October 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Harry was Aunty Rosa's one child, and Punch was the extra boy about the house.
Kipling Stories and Poems Every Child Should Know, Book II|Rudyard Kipling
Aunty Rosa sat him upon a table and told him that A B meant ab.
Kipling Stories and Poems Every Child Should Know, Book II|Rudyard Kipling
Unless perhaps, as Aunty Rosa seemed to imply, they had sent secret orders.
Kipling Stories and Poems Every Child Should Know, Book II|Rudyard Kipling
Aunty Rosa had hidden a light cane behind her, and Punch was beaten then and there over the shoulders.
Kipling Stories and Poems Every Child Should Know, Book II|Rudyard Kipling
Aunty Rosa had credited him in the past with petty cunning and stratagem that had never entered into his head.
Kipling Stories and Poems Every Child Should Know, Book II|Rudyard Kipling

British Dictionary definitions for sub rosa

sub rosa

/ (ˈrəʊzə) /

adverb

in secret

Word Origin for sub rosa

Latin, literally: under the rose; from the rose that, in ancient times, was hung over the council table, as a token of secrecy

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

sub rosa

Origin of sub rosa

Words nearby sub rosa

Words related to sub rosa

How to use sub rosa in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for sub rosa

Word Origin for sub rosa