secretary etymology

Etymology

• Latin: secretarius, "keeper of secrets"
• Proto-Indo-European: *sekw-, "follow"

Meaning

• A person in an office who manages communication, correspondence, appointments, and other administrative tasks for an executive or organization.

Origin

The word "secretary" has a long history, dating back to ancient times. The Latin word secretarius, from which we derive the English word, originally referred to a person who kept secrets for a ruler or other high-ranking official. In the Roman Republic, the secretary was often a slave or freedman who was responsible for confidential communication and the management of official documents.

Over time, the role of the secretary evolved to include a wider range of administrative duties. In the Middle Ages, secretaries were employed by monasteries and universities to manage correspondence and keep records. By the 16th century, the term "secretary" was commonly used to refer to anyone who performed administrative or clerical work for an organization.

In the early 19th century, the role of the secretary became more specialized, with the emergence of professional secretaries who were trained in business administration and office management. Today, secretaries are essential to the smooth functioning of businesses, governments, and other organizations.

secretary relate terms

• secret

  Etymology of Secret Old French seceret Latin secretum something kept back Proto

• secretaire

  Etymology The word secretaire is derived from the French word secrétaire which in t

• secretary

  Etymology Latin secretarius keeper of secrets Proto Indo European sekw follow

• secretariat

  Etymology and Meaning The term secretariat originates from the Latin word secretarius

• repository

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• notary

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• veep

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• sanitary

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• tycoon

  Etymology The word tycoon originates from the Japanese word taikun 大君 which w

• head

  Etymology The word head comes from the Old English word heafod which itself derives

• confidant

  Etymology The word confidant comes from the Old French word confidant which in turn

• receptionist

  Etymology Receptionist originates from the French word réception which means act