Done secretly or sneakily, trying to avoid being noticed or detected.
From Latin 'furtivus' meaning 'stolen' or 'secret,' derived from 'furtum' (theft). The root suggests something done in hiding like a thief.
The word 'furtive' comes from the same root as 'furtum' (theft), so linguistically you're always being a bit like a thief when you act furtively—your words reveal the hidden connection to secrets and stealing!
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