a. [f. L. subreptīcius, -ītius (f. subrept-, pa. ppl. stem of subripĕre): see prec. and -ITIOUS1. Cf. OF. subreptice, Sp., Pg. subrepticio.] a. Law. Obtained by subreption. b. Clandestine, SURREPTITIOUS.
1610. Donne, Pseudo-Martyr, 23. Whether that pretended Commandement from the Emperour were not subreptitious.
a. 1635. Naunton, Fragm. Reg. (1641), 29. That he was a subreptitious Child of the Blood Royall.
1659. Osborn, Misc., To Rdr. The emendation of a subreptitious Copy.
a. 1660. Contemp. Hist. Irel. (Ir. Archæol. Soc.), I. 100. The lord Diggby alleadged against him that his comission was subreptitious.
1728. Chambers, Cycl., s.v., Papal Bulls and Signatures are Null and Subreptitious, when the true State of the Benefice … and other necessary Matters, are not justly signified to the Pope.
1752. McDouall, Inst. Law Scot., II. 38. To prevent sub-reptitious grants.
1819. [H. Busk], Banquet, II. 533. The subreptitious theft.
Hence Subreptitiously adv., by subreption.
1611. Cotgr., Subreptivement, subrepticiously.
1890. T. E. Bridgett, Blunders & Forgeries, 18. That perhaps the rescript of which the Vicar of Mundeham boasted was obtained obreptitiously or subreptitiously.
