sub rosa
[suhb roh-zuh]
adverb
confidentially; secretly; privately.
RELATED CONTENT
sub rosa
Read more in this article about some frequently asked questions and fun facts related to our definitions.
READ MORE
Don’t Take This Word Of The Day Quiz Sub Rosa!
Tempus fugit when you’re taking the Word of the Day Quiz! If the quiz doesn’t display, please try opening in the Chrome browser. Improve your vocabulary with our Visual Word of the Day videos. Not sure what some of the definitions of these words mean? We found some items (linked below) to help give a little more context … lollapalooza tempus fugit bezonian …
READ MORE
RELATED WORDS
Origin of sub rosa
First recorded in 1920–25, sub rosa is from the Latin word 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
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for sub rosa
Contemporary Examples of sub rosa
The lack of trust between the Israeli and American leaders on Iran has been a sub-rosa tension in the relationship since 2009.
Historical Examples of sub rosa
Although his pen has probably covered more pages than Balzac's, this is the first time Sub-Rosa has really "turned author."
Law and LaughterGeorge Alexander Morton
It was for a fact a sort of sub-rosa sortie, but the historian was discreet on this occasion.
Castles and Chateaux of Old BurgundyFrancis Miltoun
sub rosa
adverb
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
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper