conceal

To keep facts secret or withhold them from the knowledge of another; to hide or secrete physical objects from sight or observation. Gerry v Dunham, 57 Me 334, 339. As the word appears in a statute prescribing a ground for attachment, to "conceal" property is to hide it or put it where an officer of the law will be unable to find it. 6 Am J2d Attach § 236. Aa used in a statute against concealing stolen goods, knowing them to have been stoIen, to "conceal" means to secrete with intent to deprive the owner of his property. Bailey v State, 115 Neb 77, 80, 211 NW 200. For the purposes of the Bankruptcy Act, to "conceal" means to secrete, falsify, and mutilate. Bankr Act § 1(7); l l USC § 1(7). The criminal offense of concealment of property belonging to the estate of a bankrupt is not limited to physical secretion, but includes the preventing of discovery by the withholding of knowledge through refusing to divulge information as to the location of the property. 9 Am J2d Bankr § 1715. For some purposes, as in the case of executing process in a claim and delivery action, to refuse the demand of an officer holding process for the properly in suit is to "conceal" it. State v Pope, 4 Wash 2d 394, 103 P2d 1089, 129 ALR 240. See concealment; secrete; treasure trove.