sub rosa

adv.
In secret; privately or confidentially: held the meeting sub rosa.

[Latin sub rosā, under the rose (from the practice of hanging a rose over a meeting as a symbol of confidentiality) : sub, under + rosā, ablative of rosa, rose.]

sub-rosa sub-ro'sa (səb-rō'zə) adj.

(sub RO-zuh)

adverb
Secretly, privately, or confidentially.

Etymology
From Latin sub (under) rosa (rose). From the ancient practice of using a rose as a symbol of secrecy.

Usage
"The ugly tone of the sub rosa attacks was in marked contrast to the public campaigns of the top candidate." — James Rainey and Massie Ritsch, Mayoral Race Darkened by Negative Ads in Final Days, The Los Angeles Times, Apr 9, 2001.

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adverb

In a secret way: clandestinely, covertly, huggermugger, secretly. Idioms: by stealth, on the sly, under cover. See show/hide.

adjective - sub-rosa

Existing or operating in a way so as to ensure complete concealment and confidentiality: clandestine, cloak-and-dagger, covert, huggermugger, secret, undercover. Informal hush-hush. Idioms: under wraps. See show/hide.

Literally "under the rose"; secretly, covertly, privately.

Secretly or in confidence. Literally means under the rose.

IN BRIEF: adj. - Designed and carried out secretly or confidentially.