Petto

It petto. In secrecy, in reserve (Italian, in the breast). The pope creates cardinals in petto —i.e. in his own mind - and keeps the appointment to himself till he thinks proper to announce it.

“Belgium, a department of France in petto —i.e. in the intention of the people.” —The Herald, 1837.

Related Content Allusions Foreign Words and Phrases Latin and Greek Word Elements Names: Their Origins and Meanings Old Testament Names Mythology Ancient Greek Literature & Mythology The Bible (King James version) The Koran (translation by J. M. Rodwell) Shakespeare's Plays Tales from Shakespeare (Charles and Mary Lamb) Frequently Misspelled Words Frequently Mispronounced Words Easily Confused Words Writing & Language