Confidential

/ˌkɑnfɪˈdenʃəl/ adjective

Definition

secret and meant only for specific people; not to be shared or told to others.

Etymology

From Latin 'confidentia' (trust, reliance), based on 'confidere' (to trust), combining 'con-' (together) and 'fidere' (to trust). The word means things told in trust, to be kept secret because they're shared with confidence.

Kelly Says

The root 'fidere' (to trust) appears in 'fidelity' (faithfulness), 'infidel' (one without faith), and 'bona fide' (in good faith)—so 'confidential' literally means 'given in trust,' capturing the idea that secrets are a form of shared trust.

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