stealth
pronunciation
How to pronounce stealth in British English:
UK [stelθ]
How to pronounce stealth in American English:
US [stɛlθ]
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- Noun:
- avoiding detection by moving carefully
Word Origin
- stealth (n.)
- mid-13c., "theft, action or practice of stealing," from a probable Old English *stælþ, which is related to stelen (see steal (v.)), from Proto-Germanic *stælitho (cognates: Old Norse stulþr), with Proto-Germanic abstract noun suffix *-itho (see -th (2)). Compare heal/health, weal/wealth. Sense of "secret action" developed c. 1300, but the word also retained its etymological sense into 18c. Got a boost as an adjective from stealth fighter, stealth bomber, radar-evading U.S. military aircraft, activated 1983.
Example
- 1. Has china 's new jet launched a stealth arms race ?
- 2. Only through stealth , the officers believe , can they exploit enemy weaknesses .
- 3. This stealth capability makes it able to attack enemy targets with less fear of retaliation .
- 4. Their stealth belies their potential importance .
- 5. Yet they comprise a stealth fleet .