privy
Definition from Wiktionary, the free dictionary
Contents |
English [edit]
Etymology [edit]
Old French privé (“private”), from Latin privatus (“deprived”). More at private
Pronunciation [edit]
Adjective [edit]
privy (comparative more privy, superlative most privy)
- (now chiefly historical) Private, exclusive; that is one's own.
- The king retreated to his privy chamber.
- (now rare, archaic) Secret, hidden, concealed.
- 1967, William Styron, The Confessions of Nat Turner, Vintage 2004, p. 82:
- Nonetheless, in the dark and privy stillness of our minds there are few of us who are not still haunted by worrisome doubts.
- 1967, William Styron, The Confessions of Nat Turner, Vintage 2004, p. 82:
- With knowledge of; party to; let in on.
- He was privy to the discussions.
Translations [edit]
private, exclusive
with knowledge of; party to; let in on
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Noun [edit]
privy (plural privies)
- An outdoor toilet; latrine; earth closet; john; johnny house.
- (law) A partaker; one having an interest in an action, contract, etc. to which he is not himself a party.
- (Can we find and add a quotation of Burrill to this entry?)
- (Can we find and add a quotation of Wharton to this entry?)
