secretary
Etymology
From Medieval Latin secrētārius (“one entrusted with secrets”), from Latin secrētus (“private, secret”), past participle of secernere (“to separate, set apart”), from se- (“apart”) + cernere (“to separate”).
noun
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(obsolete) Someone entrusted with a secret; a confidant. -
(obsolete) Someone employed as a scribe for personal correspondence. -
A person who keeps records, takes notes and handles general clerical work. I have a personal secretary to help me organize my clients.The secretary at the school is in charge of communication between parents, students, and staff. -
(often capitalized) The head of a department of government. -
A managerial or leading position in certain non-profit organizations, such as political parties, trade unions, international organizations. Ban Ki-Moon was a secretary general of the United Nations. -
(US) A type of desk, secretary desk; a secretaire. -
A secretary bird, a bird of the species Sagittarius serpentarius.
verb
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(transitive) To serve as a secretary of.
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