secretary

noun sec·re·tary \ˈse-krə-ˌter-ē, ˈse-kə-ˌter-, in rapid speech also ˈsek-ˌter-, especially British ˈse-k(r)ə-trē\

: a person whose job is to handle records, letters, etc., for another person in an office

: a person in a club or other organization who is in charge of keeping letters and records

: an official who is selected by the President and is in charge of a particular department of the government

plural sec·re·tar·ies

Full Definition of SECRETARY

: one employed to handle correspondence and manage routine and detail work for a superior

a : an officer of a business concern who may keep records of directors' and stockholders' meetings and of stock ownership and transfer and help supervise the company's legal interests

b : an officer of an organization or society responsible for its records and correspondence

: an officer of state who superintends a government administrative department <the secretary of labor>

a : writing desk, escritoire

b : a writing desk with a top section for books

— sec·re·tar·i·al \ˌse-krə-ˈter-ē-əl\ adjective

— sec·re·tary·ship \ˈse-krə-ˌter-ē-ˌship\ noun

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Illustration of SECRETARY

Origin of SECRETARY

Middle English secretarie, from Medieval Latin secretarius, confidential employee, secretary, from Latin secretum secret, from neuter of secretus

First Known Use: 15th century