sub-rosa

1 of 2

adjective

sub-ro·​sa ˌsəb-ˈrō-zə 

: secretive, private

sub rosa

2 of 2

adverb

sub ro·​sa ˌsəb-ˈrō-zə 

: in confidence : secretly

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Sub Rosa and Secrecy

Sub rosa literally means "under the rose" in New Latin. Since ancient times, the rose has often been associated with secrecy. In ancient mythology, Cupid gave a rose to Harpocrates, the god of silence, to keep him from telling about the indiscretions of Venus. Ceilings of dining rooms have been decorated with carvings of roses, reportedly to remind guests that what was said at the table should be kept confidential. Roses have also been placed over confessionals as a symbol of the confidentiality of confession. Sub rosa entered the English language in the 17th century, and even before then, people were using the English version, "under the rose." Earlier still, unter der Rose was apparently used in Germany, where the phrase is thought to have originated.

Examples of sub-rosa in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adverb

Still, the Nobel Prize Committee is known for making political statements, sub rosa and otherwise, with its choices. —Alex Shephard, The New Republic, 7 Oct. 2021

Some of the most exciting scenes in Donner's book star Don Heath Jr., the tween son of an American embassy official and sub rosa intelligence officer. —Jim Higgins, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 18 Aug. 2021

Even today psilocybin is popular in America, though its use, like the use of all psychedelics, is largely sub rosa. —Rebecca Coffey, Forbes, 5 Apr. 2021

There is something about the way the world relates to women that is bound to breed darkness — even if that darkness is sub rosa, hidden under blond curls and pretty dresses. —New York Times, 17 Dec. 2020

Everything was sub rosa — not just the historians' work, but even, when the essays began to be published in November 2013, the final product. —The Salt Lake Tribune, 28 Oct. 2020

The chance surely won’t recur to take the measure—platinum-iridium grade or not—of an artist whose influence on our art and, sub rosa, our lives in common, remains beyond large, engulfing. —Peter Schjeldahl, The New Yorker, 2 Mar. 2020

Word History

Etymology

Adverb

New Latin, literally, under the rose; from the ancient association of the rose with secrecy

First Known Use

Adjective

1824, in the meaning defined above

Adverb

1654, in the meaning defined above