privy

From Old French privé (“private”), from Latin prīvātus (“deprived”), perfect passive participle of prīvō (“I bereave, deprive; I free, release”). Doublet of private.

• IPA^(key): /ˈpɹɪ.vi/

privy (comparative more privy, superlative most privy)

1. (now chiefly historical) Private, exclusive; not public; one's own. [from early 13th c.]

   The king retreated to his privy chamber.

   the privy purse

2. (now rare, archaic) Secret, hidden, concealed.
   • 1967, William Styron, The Confessions of Nat Turner, Vintage, published 2004, page 82:

     Nonetheless, in the dark and privy stillness of our minds there are few of us who are not still haunted by worrisome doubts.

3. With knowledge of; party to; let in on. [from late 14th c.]

   He was privy to the discussions.

privy (plural privies)

1. An outdoor facility for urination and defecation, whether open (latrine) or enclosed (outhouse).
2. A lavatory: a room with a toilet.
3. A toilet: a fixture used for urination and defecation.
   • 1864 January 26, J.G. Lindsay, letter to P.P.L. O'Connel, §8:

     Arconum—I found two chairs wanting in the gentlemen's room, and the bath room attached applied to other purposes... the privies and urinaries clean...

4. (law) A partaker; one having an interest in an action, contract, etc. to which he is not himself a party.

• (latrine, outhouse, or lavatory): See Thesaurus:bathroom
• (fixture): See Thesaurus:toilet

• privy house