以秘密的、私下的方式;不公开地。指在信任的基础上分享信息,不希望被他人知道。
She told me confidentially that she was planning to resign.
她私下告诉我,她打算辞职。
The lawyer reminded her client that all information shared during their meetings would be treated confidentially and would not be disclosed to any third party.
律师提醒她的客户,所有在会面中分享的信息都将被保密处理,不会向任何第三方透露。
该词源自拉丁语 confidentia,由 **con-**(一起)和 fidere(信任)组成,原意为"怀着信任"。经由中古法语传入英语,先形成形容词 confidential(机密的),再加上副词后缀 -ly 构成 confidentially,表示"以保密的方式"。核心含义始终围绕"信任"这一概念。