Secret Service
Preserved but no longer current.
A general unofficial term applied to the organization which exists in every country, in peace or war, for the collec- tion of information about enemies, potential enemies and disaffected persons; also for counter-espionage. Such organizations have many ramifications, some quite public, others secret.
Era: ca. 1898 (Victorian)
Sources & notes
Reproduced from Brewer’s Dictionary of Phrase and Fable (1898 edition, public domain; archive.org, retrieved 2026-07-31; OCR text, minor errors possible). Reflects the scholarship and attitudes of its era.
Common questions
What does “Secret Service” mean?
A general unofficial term applied to the organization which exists in every country, in peace or war, for the collec- tion of information about enemies, potential enemies and disaffected persons; also for counter-espionage. Such organizations have many ramifications, some quite public, others secret.
Is “Secret Service” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.