1. A reference to being quiet and secret in order to avoid being noticed: The stealthy approach of the cat towards the bird on the window sill was sure to surprise the bird.
2. Secretive or dishonest with one's actions: The stealthy politician lost the election as a result of the media leaks about his behavior.
3. Etymology: "theft, action" or "practice of stealing"; from Old English stælþ, which is related to stelen, "steal"; from Proto German stælitho. The sense of "secret action" developed about 1300, but the word also retained its etymological sense into the 18th century.