hugger-mugger


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hug·ger-mug·ger

 (hŭg′ər-mŭg′ər)
n.
1. Disorderly confusion; muddle.
2. Secrecy; concealment.
adj.
1. Disorderly; jumbled.
2. Secret; clandestine.
v. hug·ger-mug·gered, hug·ger-mug·ger·ing, hug·ger-mug·gers
v.tr.
To keep secret; conceal.
v.intr.
To act in a secretive manner.
[Origin unknown.]
hug′ger-mug′ger adv.
hug′ger-mug′ger·y n.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

hugger-mugger

(ˈhʌɡəˌmʌɡə)
n
1. confusion
2. rare secrecy
adj, adv
3. with secrecy
4. in confusion
vb
5. (tr) to keep secret
6. (intr) to act secretly
[C16: of uncertain origin]
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

hug•ger-mug•ger

(ˈhʌg ərˌmʌg ər)

n.
1. disorder or confusion; muddle.
2. secrecy; reticence.
adj.
3. secret or clandestine.
4. disorderly or confused.
adv.
5. in a stealthy or disorderly manner; secretively or confusedly.
v.t.
6. to keep secret or concealed; hush up.
[1520–30; orig. uncertain]
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
Noun1.hugger-mugger - a state of confusion; "he engaged in the hugger-mugger of international finance"
confusion - disorder resulting from a failure to behave predictably; "the army retreated in confusion"
Adj.1.hugger-mugger - in utter disorderhugger-mugger - in utter disorder; "a disorderly pile of clothes"
higgledy-piggledy, jumbled, topsy-turvy, disorderly
untidy - not neat and tidy; "careless and untidy in her personal habits"; "an untidy living room"; "untidy and casual about money"
2.hugger-mugger - conducted with or marked by hidden aims or methodshugger-mugger - conducted with or marked by hidden aims or methods; "clandestine intelligence operations"; "cloak-and-dagger activities behind enemy lines"; "hole-and-corner intrigue"; "secret missions"; "a secret agent"; "secret sales of arms"; "surreptitious mobilization of troops"; "an undercover investigation"; "underground resistance"
clandestine, cloak-and-dagger, hush-hush, undercover, underground, secret, surreptitious, hole-and-corner
covert - secret or hidden; not openly practiced or engaged in or shown or avowed; "covert actions by the CIA"; "covert funding for the rebels"
Adv.1.hugger-mugger - in secrecy; "they did it all hugger-mugger"
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
Translations

hugger-mugger

[ˈhʌgəˌmʌgəʳ]
A. N → confusión f
a hugger-mugger of books → un montón de libros en desorden
B. ADV → desordenadamente
Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005
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Quacksalver bogus medic; Ambodexter someone who takes bribes from both sides; Slug-a-bed couch potato; Awhape amazing; Dowsabel sweetheart; Rouzy-bouzy lager lout; Hugge to shudder or shake with fear or with cold; Swerk gloomy, troubled, or sad; Wasteheart to show grief, regret or disappointment; Momist a harsh critic; Stomaching full of resentment; Merry-go-sorry a mixture of joy and sorrow; Sillytonian gullible; Hugger-mugger someone who works in secret; Snout-fair good looking; Man-millinery male vanity; Tremblable dreadful; Coney to trick
Revealed: Great lost words we should use again
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