sub rosa
[ suhb roh-zuh ]
/ sʌb ˈroʊ zə /
adverb
confidentially; secretly; privately.
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RELATED WORDS
Nearby words
- suave,
- suaviter in modo, fortiter in re,
- suavity,
- sub,
- sub judice,
- sub verbo,
- sub voce,
- sub-,
- sub-clause,
- sub-editor
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
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|DAILY BEASTIt was for a fact a sort of sub-rosa sortie, but the historian was discreet on this occasion.
Castles and Chateaux of Old Burgundy|Francis MiltounAlthough his pen has probably covered more pages than Balzac's, this is the first time Sub-Rosa has really "turned author."
Law and Laughter|George Alexander Morton
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
"privately, secretly," Latin, literally "under the rose," which was regarded as a symbol of secrecy.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper