From Latin 'secretum' (secret) — a secretary was originally a confidant entrusted with classified information, not a clerical assistant.
A person employed to handle correspondence and manage routine work for an executive; a senior government official.
From Medieval Latin 'secretarius' (a person entrusted with secrets), from Latin 'secretum' (secret). A secretary was originally a confidant — someone trusted with private matters and classified information, not a clerical worker. Key roots: secretum (Latin: "secret").
A secretary is a secret-keeper. The job title meant 'person trusted with secrets' — the most confidential role in any court or organization. The Secretary of State is still this: the president's most trusted advisor on classified matters. The role's descent from 'keeper of royal secrets' to 'person who schedules meetings' is one of the biggest status drops