DictionaryRoot: rapere
Latin

rapere

seize or carry off

Forms

  • rapere
  • rapt- — The changed form used for completed action.
  • -rip- — The vowel changed in some compounds.

Origin

From an old Indo-European seizing family.

Note

Being carried away can become a physical taking or an overwhelming experience.

3 / 5
An adult at a family kitchen table secretly takes one cookie from a cooling tray while glancing sideways to check whether the nearby baker has noticed, one hand discreetly behind their back, playful mild disapproval context.
adjective

surreptitious

sur-up-TISH-us/ˌsɜːrəpˈtɪʃəs/

Done secretly to avoid notice or disapproval.

Etymology

“From under” contributes the idea of secrecy to “snatch,” producing a verb meaning “steal” or “seize secretly.” The adjective carries that furtive quality into actions done covertly or without legitimate authority.

Full entry

Related word entries