hugger-mugger
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hug·ger-mug·ger
(hŭg′ər-mŭg′ər)n.
1. Disorderly confusion; muddle.
2. Secrecy; concealment.
adj.
1. Disorderly; jumbled.
2. Secret; clandestine.
v. hug·ger-mug·gered, hug·ger-mug·ger·ing, hug·ger-mug·gers
v.tr.
To keep secret; conceal.
v.intr.
To act in a secretive manner.
[Origin unknown.]
hug′ger-mug′ger adv.
hug′ger-mug′ger·y n.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
hugger-mugger
(ˈhʌɡəˌmʌɡə)n
1. confusion
2. rare secrecy
adj, adv
3. with secrecy
4. in confusion
vb
5. (tr) to keep secret
6. (intr) to act secretly
[C16: of uncertain origin]
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
hug•ger-mug•ger
(ˈhʌg ərˌmʌg ər)n.
1. disorder or confusion; muddle.
2. secrecy; reticence.
adj. 3. secret or clandestine.
4. disorderly or confused.
adv. 5. in a stealthy or disorderly manner; secretively or confusedly.
v.t. 6. to keep secret or concealed; hush up.
[1520–30; orig. uncertain]
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
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Noun | 1. | hugger-mugger - a state of confusion; "he engaged in the hugger-mugger of international finance" confusion - disorder resulting from a failure to behave predictably; "the army retreated in confusion" |
Adj. | 1. | ![]() untidy - not neat and tidy; "careless and untidy in her personal habits"; "an untidy living room"; "untidy and casual about money" |
2. | ![]() clandestine, cloak-and-dagger, hush-hush, undercover, underground, secret, surreptitious, hole-and-corner covert - secret or hidden; not openly practiced or engaged in or shown or avowed; "covert actions by the CIA"; "covert funding for the rebels" | |
Adv. | 1. | hugger-mugger - in secrecy; "they did it all hugger-mugger" |
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
Translations
Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005