confidentially
UK[ˌkɒnfɪˈdenʃəli]US[ˌkɑːnfɪˈdenʃəli]
adv
in a way that is meant to be kept secret or private
adv
in a manner that implies trust or secrecy
Morpheme Breakdown
con
fid
entially
con
together, with
fid
trust
entially
adverb-forming suffix
Etymology
the word "confidentially" is built upon the latin foundation of trust and secrecy. its core is the latin root fid-, meaning "trust" or "faith," which is also the source of words like "fidelity" and "confide." the prefix con-, meaning "with," intensifies this notion to imply sharing trust privately. the modern adverb evolved through the addition of layered suffixes to the adjective "confidential," which originally described matters entrusted to someone's faith. thus, the literal sense of "in a manner of shared trust" developed into its current meaning of handling information in a private or secret way.
Analysis
Structure: con (together, with) + fid (trust) + entially (adverb-forming suffix)
- con: a latin prefix meaning "together, with, thoroughly".
- fid: from latin fidere (to trust) and fides (faith, trust). it functions as the core root.
- entially: a complex english suffix built from -ent (adjective-forming), -ial (adjective-forming), and -ly (adverb-forming), indicating the manner of the quality.
Examples
she spoke confidentially, lowering her voice so no one else could hear.
all client information is treated confidentially.
he told me, strictly confidentially, that the deal was about to be announced.