privy

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Related to privy: privy purse, privy council

priv·y

(prĭv′ē)

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

a. An outdoor toilet; an outhouse.

b. A toilet.

2. Law One in privity with another.

[Middle English prive, from Old French, from Latin prīvātus, private, from prīvus, single, alone; see per in Indo-European roots.]

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

privy

(ˈprɪvɪ)

adj, privier or priviest

1. (foll by: to) participating in the knowledge of something secret

2. archaic secret, hidden, etc

3. archaic of or relating to one person only

n, pl privies

4. a lavatory, esp an outside one

5. (Law) law a person in privity with another. See privity¹

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

Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

priv•y

(ˈprɪv i)

adj. priv•i•er, priv•i•est, adj.

1. participating in the knowledge of something private or secret (usu. fol. by to): Many people were privy to the plot.

2. private; assigned to private uses.

3. belonging or pertaining to some particular person, esp. a sovereign.

4. secret, concealed, hidden, or secluded.

5. acting or done in secret.

6. outhouse (def. 1).

7. Law. a person who participates directly in or has an interest in a legal transaction.

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

ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:

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Noun	1.	privy - a room or building equipped with one or more toilets john, lav, lavatory, toilet, bathroom, can head - (nautical) a toilet on board a boat or ship public convenience, public lavatory, public toilet, restroom, toilet facility, wash room, comfort station, convenience - a toilet that is available to the public 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.	privy - a small outbuilding with a bench having holes through which a user can defecate earth-closet, jakes, outhouse 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" secluded, secret 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) an outside privy

adjective

1. (with to) informed of, aware of, in on, wise to (slang), hip to (slang), switched-on to (informal), in the loop, apprised of, cognizant of, in the know about (informal), sussed of (Brit. slang) Only three people were privy to the facts.

Collins Thesaurus of the English Language – Complete and Unabridged 2nd Edition. 2002 © HarperCollins Publishers 1995, 2002

privy

adjective

Belonging or confined to a particular person or group as opposed to the public or the government:

personal, private.

Translations

خاص، سِرّي، مُطَّلِع على السِّر

tajná rada

rådgivergruppe

al corrente cesso

slaptoji taryba

slepenā padome

politisk råd

danışmanlar kurulu

英国枢密院

privy

[ˈprɪvɪ]

A. ADJ to be privy to sth → estar al tanto or enterado de algo

B. N → retrete m, baño m (LAm)

C. CPD Privy Council N (Brit) → consejo m privado (del monarca) → Consejo m de Estado
Privy Councillor N (Brit) → consejero/a m/f privado/a (del monarca) → consejero/a m/f de Estado
Privy Purse N (Brit) → gastos mpl personales del monarca

PRIVY COUNCIL

El consejo de asesores de la Corona, conocido como Privy Council, tuvo su origen en la época de los normandos, y fue adquiriendo mayor importancia hasta ser substituido en 1688 por el actual Consejo de Ministros Cabinet. Hoy día sigue existiendo con un carácter fundamentalmente honorífico que se concede de forma automática a los ministros del gobierno, así como a otras personalidades políticas, eclesiásticas y jurídicas.

Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005

privy

[ˈprɪvi] adj
to be privy to sth [+ information, facts] → être au courant de qchprivy council n → conseil privé

Collins English/French Electronic Resource. © HarperCollins Publishers 2005

privy

adj to be privy to something → in etw (acc) → eingeweiht sein

n → Abort m, → Abtritt m

Privy

Privy Council

n → Geheimer Rat

Privy Councillor, (US) Privy Councilor

n → Geheimrat m, → Geheimrätin f

Privy Purse

n → Privatschatulle f

Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007

privy

[ˈprɪvɪ]

1. adj to be privy to sth → essere a conoscenza or al corrente di qc

2. n (old) (toilet) → gabinetto, ritirata

privy

(ˈprivi) : privy council

a group of statesmen appointed as advisers to a king or queen.

References in classic literature ?

And under these rooms, a fair and large cellar, sunk under ground; and likewise some privy kitchens, with butteries and pantries, and the like.

View in context

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.

View in context

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.

View in context

Even the timorous Lord Mayor, who was summoned that night before the Privy Council to answer for his conduct, came back contented; observing to all his friends that he had got off very well with a reprimand, and repeating with huge satisfaction his memorable defence before the Council, 'that such was his temerity, he thought death would have been his portion.'

View in context

The marshal of the field was lost in astonishment at the words of Tosilos; and as he was one of those who were privy to the arrangement of the affair he knew not what to say in reply.

View in context

"Because he would allow you a pension out of the king's privy purse, as soon as he becomes surintendant," said Aramis, preparing to leave as soon as he had dealt this last blow.

View in context

"We call upon the privy councilor Pyotr Petrovitch Bol," the voice began again.

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If Miss Verinder is not privy to the suppression of the Diamond, what do these things mean?"

View in context

Knightley have been privy to all her attempts of assisting Jane Fairfax, could he even have seen into her heart, he would not, on this occasion, have found any thing to reprove.

View in context

The Journalist then recites the complaint of the injured Allan Stewart, Commendator of Crossraguel, to the Regent and Privy Council, averring his having been carried, partly by flattery, partly by force, to the black vault of Denure, a strong fortalice, built on a rock overhanging the Irish channel, where to execute leases and conveyances of the whole churches and parsonages belonging to the Abbey of Crossraguel, which he utterly refused as an unreasonable demand, and the more so that he had already conveyed them to John Stewart of Cardonah, by whose interest he had been made Commendator.

View in context

As for himself, he protested, that although few things delighted him so much as new discoveries in art or in nature, yet he would rather lose half his kingdom, than be privy to such a secret; which he commanded me, as I valued any life, never to mention any more."

View in context

In the evening when they encamped, the old chief and his privy counsellor, the guide, had another mysterious colloquy, after which the guide mounted his horse and departed on some secret mission, while the chief resumed his seat at the fire, and sat humming to himself in a pleasing but mystic reverie.