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putting an end to debate or question; leading to, or involving, a conclusion or decision. Secret reasons . . . equally conclusive for us as they were for them. Rogers. Conclusive evidence (Law), that of which, from its nature, the law allows no contradiction or explanation. -- Conclusive presumption (Law), an inferenc…

pitomize. In what shape they choose, Dilated or condensed, bright or obscure. Milton. The secret course pursued at Brussels and at Madrid may be condensed into the usual formula, dissimulation, procrastination, and again dissimulation. Motley.

One to whom secrets, especially those relating to affairs of love, are confided or intrusted; a confidential or bosom friend. You love me for no other end Than to become my confidant and friend; As such I keep no secret from your sight. Dryden.

Private conversation; (pl.) secrets shared; as, there were confidences between them. Sir, I desire some confidence with you. Shak. Confidence game, any swindling operation in which advantage is taken of the confidence reposed by the victim in the swindler. -- Confidence man, a swindler. -- To take into one's confiden…

Communicated in confidence; secret. "Confidential messages." Burke. Confidential communication (Law) See Privileged communication, under Privileged. -- Confidential creditors, those whose claims are of such a character that they are entitled to be paid before other creditors. -- Confidential debts, debts incurred for…

In confidence; in reliance on secrecy.

the rights and privileges of a city, corporation, community, or estate. The lords of the secret council were likewise made conservators of the peace of the two kingdoms. Clarendon. The conservator of the estate of an idiot. Bouvier. Conservators of the River Thames, a board of comissioners instituted by Parliament to…

To make an agreement, esp. a secret agreement, to do some act, as to commit treason or a crime, or to do some unlawful deed; to plot together. They conspired against [Joseph] to slay him. Gen. xxxvii. 18. You have conspired against our royal person, Joined with an enemy proclaimed. Shak.

A disease communicable by contact with a patient suffering from it, or with some secretion of, or object touched by, such a patient. Most such diseases have already been proved to be germ diseases, and their communicability depends on the transmission of the living germs. Many germ diseases are not contagious, some sp…

ng, to a common purpose; to have a share in any act or effect. We are engaged in war; the secretary of state calls upon the colonies to contribute. Burke.

A small assembly or gathering; esp., a secret assembly. They are commanded to abstain from all conventicles of men whatsoever. Ayliffe.

ng to, or resembling, a conventicle. [Obs.] Conventicling schools . . . set up and taught secretly by fanatics. South.

l estate) or pass (a title to real estate) by a sealed writing. The Earl of Desmond . . . secretly conveyed all his lands to feoffees in trust. Spenser.

One given to artifices or secret practices; a juggler; a cheat; a thief. [Obs.] Shak.

A secret or secluded place; a remote or out of the way place; a nook. This thing was not done in a corner. Acts xxvi. 26.

A secretary or clerk. [Obs.] Chaucer.

f the wall of the hoof of the horse and allied animals. It takes an important part in the secretion of the horny walls.

A secret opinion or purpose; a private matter. Thilke lord . . . to whom no counsel may be hid. Gower.

r another. -- Counter brace. See Counter brace, in Vocabulary. -- Counter deed (Law), a secret writing which destroys, invalidates, or alters, a public deed. -- Counter distinction, contradistinction. [Obs.] -- Counter drain, a drain at the foot of the embankment of a canal or watercourse, for carrying off the water…

To frustrate or counteract by secret measures.