First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1privy
adjective \ˈpri-vē\
Definition of PRIVY
2
: belonging or relating to a person in one's individual rather than official capacity
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See privy defined for kids
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Examples of PRIVY
- … there were no secrets in the little village to which he was not privy. —Sidney Sheldon, The Sands of Time, 1988
- Halberstam and I and the other correspondents would have felt less beleaguered had we been privy to the secret debate in Washington. —Neil Sheehan, A Bright Shining Lie, 1988
- … to assure you that I am neither privy to, nor cognizant of, any such clique; and that I most potently disbelieve in the existence of any such. —Abraham Lincoln, letter, 13 Oct. 1849
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Origin of PRIVY
Middle English prive, from Anglo-French privé, from Latin privatus private
Related to PRIVY
2privy
noun \ˈpri-vē\
: a small outdoor building that is used as a toilet
plural priv·ies
Full Definition of PRIVY
1
a : a small building having a bench with holes through which the user may defecate or urinate b : toilet 3b
2
: a person having a legal interest of privity
See privy defined for English-language learners
Origin of PRIVY
(see 1privy)
First Known Use: 14th century
PRIVY Defined for Kids
privy
noun \ˈpri-vē\
plural priv·ies
Definition of PRIVY for Kids
: a small building without plumbing used as a toilet
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