sub rosa

[ suhb roh-zuh ]

See synonyms for sub rosa on Thesaurus.com

adverb

confidentially; secretly; privately.

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

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

How to use sub rosa in a sentence

This sub rosa gathering marks another step in the organizing of a potential presidential campaign for Clinton.
Hillary Clinton’s Secret Iowa Campaign Cadre | Ben Jacobs | June 21, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
The lack of trust between the Israeli and American leaders on Iran has been a sub-rosa tension in the relationship since 2009.
U.S., Israel Discuss Triggers for Bombing Iran’s Nuclear Infrastructure | Eli Lake | December 28, 2011 | THE DAILY BEAST
The friend who promised to have this letter mailed sub rosa is at the door.
Prison Memoirs of an Anarchist | Alexander Berkman
Wrote double quick, then galloped over to Kephalos to see the New Army, sub rosa.
Gallipoli Diary, Volume 2 | Ian Hamilton
I was invited on condition that I would not let the student-body know of these sub rosa fiestas.
Tramping on Life | Harry Kemp

It was easily contrived to divert, sub rosa, large State receipts to supply the remaining financial needs.
Origin of the Anglo-Boer War Revealed (2nd ed.) | C. H. Thomas
He understood that it was to be entirely sub rosa and that nothing must ever transpire as to it.
The Cab of the Sleeping Horse | John Reed Scott

British Dictionary definitions for sub rosa

sub rosa

/ (ˈrəʊzə) /

adverb

in secret

Origin of 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

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