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privet

[ priv-it ]
/ ˈprɪv ɪt /
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noun

any of various deciduous or evergreen shrubs of the genus Ligustrum, especially L. vulgare, having clusters of small white flowers and commonly grown as a hedge.

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Origin of privet

First recorded in 1535–45; origin uncertain

Words nearby privet

privation, privatism, privative, privatization issue, privatize, privet, privet hawk, privilege, privileged, privileged altar, privileged site
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021

Example sentences from the Web for privet

British Dictionary definitions for privet

privet
/ (ˈprɪvɪt) /

noun

  1. any oleaceous shrub of the genus Ligustrum, esp L. vulgare or L. ovalifolium, having oval dark green leaves, white flowers, and purplish-black berries
  2. (as modifier)a privet hedge

Word Origin for privet

C16: of unknown origin
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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