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privy

   Also found in: Legal, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia, Hutchinson 0.03 sec.
priv·y  (prv)
adj.
1. Made a participant in knowledge of something private or secret: was privy to classified information.
2. Belonging or proper to a person, such as the British sovereign, in a private rather than official capacity.
3. Secret; concealed.
n. pl. priv·ies
1.
a. An outdoor toilet; an outhouse.
b. A toilet.
2. Law One of the parties having an interest in the same matter.

[Middle English prive, from Old French, from Latin prvtus, private, from prvus, single, alone; see per1 in Indo-European roots.]

privy
Adjective
[privier, priviest]
1. privy to sharing in the knowledge of something secret
2. Archaic secret
Noun
pl privies
Obsolete a toilet, esp. an outside one [Old French privé something private]
ThesaurusLegend:  Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
Noun1.privyprivy - a room or building equipped with one or more toilets
head - (nautical) a toilet on board a boat or ship
room - an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling; "the rooms were very small but they had a nice view"
commode, crapper, potty, pot, throne, toilet, stool, can - a plumbing fixture for defecation and urination
washroom - a lavatory (particularly a lavatory in a public place)
loo, W.C., water closet, closet - a toilet in Britain
2.privyprivy - a small outbuilding with a bench having holes through which a user can defecate
outbuilding - a building that is subordinate to and separate from a main building
Adj.1.privy - hidden from general view or use; "a privy place to rest and think"; "a secluded romantic spot"; "a secret garden"
private - confined to particular persons or groups or providing privacy; "a private place"; "private discussions"; "private lessons"; "a private club"; "a private secretary"; "private property"; "the former President is now a private citizen"; "public figures struggle to maintain a private life"
2.privy - (followed by `to') informed about something secret or not generally known; "privy to the details of the conspiracy"
informed - having much knowledge or education; "an informed public"; "informed opinion"; "the informed customer"

privy
noun 1. (Obsolete) lavatory, closet, bog (slang) latrine, outside toilet, earth closet, pissoir (French) bogger Austral. (slang) brasco Austral. (slang)
adjective 2. (with to) informed of, aware of, in on, wise to (slang) hip to (slang) in the loop, apprised of, cognizant of, in the know about (informal)
Translations
Spanish privy [ˈprɪvɪ] adj to be privy to → estar enterado de
French privy [ˈprɪvɪ] adj to be privy to → être au courant de
German privy [ˈprɪvɪ] adj to be privy to → eingeweiht sein in +acc
Privy CouncilPrivy Council ist eine Gruppe von königlichen Beratern, die ihren Ursprung im normannischen England hat. Heute hat dieser Rat eine rein formale Funktion. Kabinettsmitglieder und andere bedeutende politische, kirchliche oder juristische Persönlichkeiten sind automatisch Mitglieder.

Italian privy [ˈprɪvɪ] adj to be privy to → essere al corrente di

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And under these rooms, a fair and large cellar, sunk under ground; and likewise some privy kitchens, with butteries and pantries, and the like.
To such a one He assigns a life in a general's epaulets or as a privy councillor--to such a one, I say, He assigns a life of command; whereas to another one, He allots only a life of unmurmuring toil and suffering.
In the face of the probabilities, in the face of the facts, he had now firmly persuaded himself that Sir Joseph was privy to the fraud that had been practiced on him.
 
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