amor occultus
The English phrase "secret love" is translated into Latin as amor occultus.
The phrase describes a romantic feeling for someone that is kept hidden from others.
What does it mean word for word?
amor means "love" and occultus means "hidden" or "secret".
Which one should you use?
Amor Celatus translates to "hidden love" and Amor Absconditus is used to describe a love that is kept secret or hidden away from the knowledge of others.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the plural "secret loves", use amores occulti. Use the genitive form amoris occulti to express "of secret love". When "secret love" is the direct object of a verb, use the accusative form amorem occultum.
Did you know?
- In Latin poetry, a 'hidden love' was often depicted as a disease or a physical wound that the lover had to conceal to avoid social shame.
- The word occultus is the root of the English word 'occult', but in Latin it simply meant anything hidden from view, such as a secret love.
- In Latin, the word amor is an abstract noun that can be used for both a person's intense passion and the person they love. This can lead to poetic ambiguity where 'amor' refers to the feeling itself or the object of desire.
Examples in context
- Amor arcanus, amicus absconditus.Hidden love, concealed friend.
- In corde meo amor occultus est.In my heart, there is a secret love.
- Amor occultus dolorem parit.A secret love brings pain.
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing a hidden crush in a garden.
- LuciusCur tristis es, Aurelia?Why are you sad, Aurelia?
- AureliaAmor occultus me fatigat, Luci.Secret love exhausts me, Lucius.
- LuciusCur non dicis veritatem?Why do you not tell the truth?
- AureliaMetuo quod amor occultus perit.I fear that secret love perishes.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries amor, occultus, CC BY-SA 4.0.
