First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1private
adjective pri·vate \ˈprī-vət\
: for the use of a single person or group : belonging to one person or group : not public
: not relating to a person's official position or job
: not known by the public or by other people
Full Definition of PRIVATE
1
a : intended for or restricted to the use of a particular person, group, or class <a private park> b : belonging to or concerning an individual person, company, or interest <a private house> c (1) : restricted to the individual or arising independently of others <private opinion> (2) : carried on by the individual independently of the usual institutions <a doctor in private practice>; also : being educated by independent study or a tutor or in a private school <private students> d : not general in effect <a private statute> e : of, relating to, or receiving hospital service in which the patient has more privileges than a semiprivate or ward patient
2
a (1) : not holding public office or employment <a private citizen> (2) : not related to one's official position : personal <private correspondence> b : being a private
3
4
: not having shares that can be freely traded on the open market <a private company>
— pri·vate·ly adverb
— pri·vate·ness noun
See private defined for English-language learners
See private defined for kids
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Origin of PRIVATE
Middle English privat, from Anglo-French, from Latin privatus, from past participle of privare to deprive, release, from privus private, individual; probably akin to Latin pro for, in front of — more at for
2private
noun
: a person of the lowest rank in the U.S. or British Army or the U.S. Marines
Full Definition of PRIVATE
1
archaic : one not in public office
2
obsolete : privacy
3
plural : private parts
4
a : a person of low rank in various organizations (as a police or fire department) b : an enlisted man of the lowest rank in the marine corps or of one of the two lowest ranks in the army
— in private
: not openly or in public
See private defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of PRIVATE
15th century
PRIVATE Defined for Kids
1private
adjective pri·vate \ˈprī-vət\
Definition of PRIVATE for Kids
1
: having to do with or for the use of a single person or group : not public <private property>
2
: not holding any public office <a private citizen>
2private
noun
Definition of PRIVATE for Kids
: an enlisted person of the lowest rank in the marine corps or of either of the two lowest ranks in the army
Medical Dictionary
private
adjective pri·vate \ˈprī-vət\
Medical Definition of PRIVATE
1
: of, relating to, or receiving hospital service in which the patient has more privileges than a semiprivate or ward patient
2
: of, relating to, or being private practice <a private office> <a private practitioner>
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