privy

[ priv-ee ]

/ ˈprɪv i /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR privy ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective, priv·i·er, priv·i·est.

participating in the knowledge of something private or secret (usually followed by to): Many persons were privy to the plot.

private; assigned to private uses.

belonging or pertaining to some particular person, especially with reference to a sovereign.

secret, concealed, hidden, or secluded.

acting or done in secret.

noun, plural priv·ies.

outhouse(def 1).

Law. a person participating directly in or having a derivative interest in a legal transaction.

Nearby words

Origin of privy

1175–1225; Middle English prive < Old French: private (adj.), close friend, private place (noun) < Latin prīvātus private

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for privy

Pinsky was also privy to payouts for his celebrity, accepting a lucrative consulting gig with Janssen Pharmaceutica.
It’s Time to Turn Off TV Doctors|April Siese|June 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
I'm just an average citizen not privy to that kind of information.
Reader Poll Results: Do you Care That the NSA Is Spying on You?|The Daily Beast|June 8, 2013|DAILY BEAST
He believes he is privy to information not reflected in polls.
Republicans: Check Your Premises||November 9, 2012|DAILY BEAST
We have reason to believe he was privy to this report before it was released.
Pakistan: Judges Rebuke Haqqani in Memogate Scandal|Fasih Ahmed, Shehrbano Taseer|June 13, 2012|DAILY BEAST

If they were privy to inside information about revenues looking weak, is that a problem?
7 Things to Know About Facebook’s Investor Scandal|Dan Lyons|May 23, 2012|DAILY BEAST
The assembly was composed of the Governor, the privy counsellors and the burgesses.
The Great Events by Famous Historians, Volume 11|Various
In Austria the title Exzellenz belongs properly to privy councillors.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 10, Slice 1|Various
This treaty of marriage was detected in February, 1609, and the parties summoned before the privy council.
Curiosities of Literature, Vol. II (of 3)|Isaac Disraeli
For this purpose the judicial committee of the privy council was created in 1833.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 2, Slice 3|Various
His name is mentioned in the Chinese Annals of 1277 as a newly-appointed commissioner of the privy council.
The Discovery of America Vol. 1 (of 2)|John Fiske.

British Dictionary definitions for privy

privy

/ (ˈprɪvɪ) /

adjective privier or priviest

(postpositive foll by to) participating in the knowledge of something secret

archaic secret, hidden, etc

archaic of or relating to one person only

noun plural privies

a lavatory, esp an outside one

law a person in privity with anotherSee privity (def. 1)

Word Origin for privy

C13: from Old French privé something private, from Latin prīvātus private

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

Word Origin and History for privy

privy

adj.

"private," early 13c., from Old French privé "friendly, intimate; a private place," from Latin privatus "private, personal" (see private (adj.)). Meaning "participating in (a secret)" (usually with to) is attested from late 14c. Related: Privily. Privy Council is from c.1300 in a general sense; specifically of the British government, first attested late 14c., as consaile priue. Privy member "organ of sex" is from late 13c.

privy

"toilet," c.1200, from Old French privé, privee "latrine," literally "private place," from noun use of adjective privé (see privy (adj.)).

privy

adjective, priv·i·er, priv·i·est.

noun, plural priv·ies.

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Origin of privy

Examples from the Web for privy

privy

adjective privier or priviest

noun plural privies

Word Origin for privy

privy

privy