Pronunciation: [kˈɛpt sˈiːkɹət] (IPA) 
The phrase "kept secret" is spelled /kɛpt ˈsiːkrət/. The first part, "kept," is spelled with a "k" and "e" as in "key," followed by "pt" which is pronounced as a silent "p" and then "t" as in "toe." The second part, "secret," is spelled with "s" as in "sun," "e" as in "bet," "cr" as in "cry," and "et" as in "let." Together, the word is pronounced as "kept see-krit."
Kept secret refers to information or knowledge that is intentionally concealed or hidden from others, generally to maintain confidentiality or privacy. It implies that the secret has been guarded and not revealed to the public or specific individuals who are not authorized to know about it. The act of keeping a secret often involves discretion, trust, and control over the dissemination of the information.
A kept secret can range from personal matters, such as a hidden romantic relationship or a past event, to more significant occurrences, like confidential business plans, undisclosed government operations, or undisclosed research findings. The intention behind keeping a secret may vary, serving aspects such as protecting personal privacy, maintaining an advantage over competitors, ensuring safety or security, or preserving power dynamics.
Quite often, secrets are accompanied by a sense of mystery, intrigue, or curiosity, as people are naturally curious about what they do not know. However, the discovery of a kept secret can result in various consequences, including feelings of betrayal, breaches of trust, damage to relationships, or even legal implications depending on the nature of the secret.
While some secrets are temporary and eventually revealed over time, others may be long-lasting, cemented in history, or passed down through generations. The act of keeping secrets is an inherent aspect of human nature and society, and understanding the motivations behind others' secrecy can shed light on their intentions, values, and level of trustworthiness.
The etymology of the phrase "kept secret" can be traced back to the individual origins of the two words comprising it: "kept" and "secret".
The word "kept" comes from the Old English word "cepan", which means "to care for, attend to, cherish". Over time, it developed into the Middle English word "kepen", which carried similar meanings of "care, guard, watch, preserve". Eventually, it evolved into the modern English word "kept", which signifies the past tense and past participle form of the verb "to keep".
The word "secret" comes from the Latin word "secretus", which means "set apart, withdrawn, hidden". In Latin, "secretus" is the past participle form of "secernere", which combines "se-" (meaning "apart") and "cernere" (meaning "to sift, separate").
