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DictionaryRoot: -arius
Latin

-arius

connected with; a person concerned with

Forms

  • -arius
  • -ary — The ending shortened in French and English.
  • -aire — One French development of the ending.

Origin

A Latin ending for relationships, occupations, and associated things.

Note

Its descendants can name a person, a place, or a quality; the surrounding word determines the contribution.

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noun

secretary

SEK-ruh-tair-ee/ˈsekrəteri/

A person who handles administrative work for a person or organization.

The secretary answers the phone while organizing correspondence.

Secretary handles phone receiver while organizing envelopes and typing on small laptop, plain calendar grid without words; one compact desk, no office backdrop.
Etymology
secretLatina secret, a hidden thing
+aryLatinconnected with; a person concerned with

A secretary was originally someone entrusted with secrets or confidential business. Handling another person's private affairs developed into the familiar work of keeping records and managing correspondence.

In context

Nihir Shah0:45
if there is an important meeting on any policy change in the company, there would be one person, generally the secretary, who would be noting down all the points that happened during the meeting
Minutes of Meeting | How to write Meeting Minutes | Format | Example | Exercise

More examples

  • She asked the secretary to arrange a meeting.
  • Several secretaries shared the office.
  • The committee's secretary kept the records.

Forms

secretary · secretaries

secretarial adjective — Relating to administrative office work.

Similar words

assistant
Helps with work that may extend beyond administration.
clerk
Often handles records or routine office tasks.