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sub rosa
[ suhb roh-zuh ]
/ sʌb ˈroʊ zə /
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This shows grade level based on the word's complexity.
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
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
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