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Meanings of furtive in English
Marked by quiet and caution and secrecy; taking pains to avoid being observed.
Related terms
Synonyms
Examples for "backstairs"
Examples for "backstairs"
1
I do not believe in backstairs diplomacy any more than Dr. Hollweg.
2
He would never believe it-itwas a nasty piece of backstairs gossip!
3
Medical need, rather than a backstairs political deal, should always direct health policy.
4
There is a little cad down the backstairs who does it.
5
Jewel found the backstairs and ascended them, her little heart hot within her.
1
We went clapping up a clean stone backstair, and then into a back passage cheerfully decorated with ragged light-green Kidderminster, and issued upon
2
And Miss Verity descended the backstairs again.
3
His reading is principally Memoirs, which I think I have heard you call 'The backstairs of history.'
4
"He wasn't groom of the backstairs to England's queen for nothing."
5
Had she been a second-hand clothes dealer, a frequenter of the backstairs of great houses, or had she been merely a courtesan?
Usage of furtive in English
1
He conceived the idea that there was something furtive in her movements.
2
The furtive quality in that quick peek sort of breaks Jack's heart.
3
The next thing you notice is the furtive look of the thief.
4
In his eyes shone the furtive, terrified light of the trapped criminal.
5
People looked furtive, and went in and out of the houses furtively.
6
He crouched down in the bows and stole a furtive glance back.
7
This program of furtive meetings in the hills would have to discontinue.
8
Harold and Sarah exchanged a furtive look: What should they tell him?
9
His demeanor was no longer that of a furtive, ever-wary sand dweller.
10
Methought I saw once more the furtive, shifty eyes of the maniac.
11
But furtive eyes soon relieved the artist from the charge of exaggeration.
12
Zeke stole a furtive look at the owner of the joyous voice.
13
But his furtive movements had not the serene impassibility of the somnambulist.
14
Something furtive in the round of the fellow's shoulders challenged his curiosity.
15
After a furtive glance along the street he crept into the temple.
16
The girls stared at the floor, or exchanged furtive glances of embarrassment.
About this term
Frequent collocations
More collocations
Furtive through the time
Furtive across language varieties
United Kingdom
Common
United States of America
Less common