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Definition of furtive adjective from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

furtive

adjective
 
/ˈfɜːtɪv/
 
/ˈfɜːrtɪv/
(disapproving)
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  1. behaving in a way that shows that you want to keep something secret and do not want to be noticed synonym stealthy
    • She cast a furtive glance over her shoulder.
    • He looked sly and furtive.
    • The look in his eyes became furtive.
    • The secretary looked almost furtive when I walked in.
    Oxford Collocations DictionaryFurtive is used with these nouns:
    • glance
    • look
    See full entry
    Word Originearly 17th cent.: from French furtif, -ive or Latin furtivus, from furtum ‘theft’.
See furtive in the Oxford Advanced American Dictionary
previously
adverb
 
 
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