Privy

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈpɹɪ.vi/

Origin

Old French privé ("private"), from Latin privatus ("deprived"). More at private

Full definition of privy

Adjective

1. (now chiefly historical) Private, exclusive; not public; one's own.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 2004, p. 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.He was privy to the discussions.

Noun

1. An outdoor toilet; latrine; earth closet; john; johnny house.
2. (legal) A partaker; one having an interest in an action, contract, etc. to which he is not himself a party.