sub rosa

[suhb roh-zuh]

See more synonyms for sub rosa on Thesaurus.com

adverb

confidentially; secretly; privately.

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. 2018

Related Words for sub rosa

confidentially, covertly, obscurely, privately, clandestinely

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.
U.S., Israel Discuss Triggers for Bombing Iran’s Nuclear Infrastructure
Eli Lake
December 28, 2011

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 Laughter
George 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 Burgundy
Francis Miltoun

British Dictionary definitions for sub rosa

sub rosa

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

Word Origin and History for sub rosa

"privately, secretly," Latin, literally "under the rose," which was regarded as a symbol of secrecy.