subreptitious, a.
(sʌbrɛpˈtɪʃəs)
[f. L. subreptīcius, -ītius (f. subrept-, pa. ppl. stem of subripĕre): see prec. and -itious1. Cf. OF. subreptice, Sp., Pg. subrepticio.]
a. Law. Obtained by subreption. b. Clandestine, surreptitious.
| 1610 Donne Pseudo-martyr 23 Whether that pretended Commandement from the Emperour were not subreptitious. a 1635 Naunton Fragm. Reg. (1641) 29 That he was a sub⁓reptitious Child of the Blood Royall. 1659 Osborn Misc. To Rdr., The emendation of a subreptitious Copy. a 1660 Contemp. Hist. Irel. (Ir. Archæol. Soc.) I. 100 The lord Diggby alleadged against him that his comission was subreptitious. 1728 Chambers Cycl. s.v., Papal Bulls and Signatures are Null and Subreptitious, when the true State of the Benefice..and other necessary Matters, are not justly signified to the Pope. 1752 M{supc}Douall Inst. Laws Scot. II. 38 To prevent sub-reptitious grants. 1819 [H. Busk] Banquet ii. 533 The subreptitious theft. |
Hence subrepˈtitiously adv., by subreption.
| 1611 Cotgr., Subreptivement, subrepticiously. 1890 T. E. Bridgett Blunders & Forgeries 18 That perhaps the rescript of which the Vicar of Mundeham boasted was obtained obreptitiously or subreptitiously. |