pri·vate adj
1 a: intended for or restricted to the use of a particular person or group or class of persons: not available to the public
a private park
b: not related to, controlled by, or deriving from the state
a private school
2 a: owned by or concerning an individual person or entity
private land
b: not having shares that can be freely traded on the open market
a private company
3: affecting the interests of a particular person, class or group of persons, or locality
private legislation
private rights
4 a: not invested with or engaged in public office or employment
a private citizen
b: not related to or dependent on an official position
private correspondence
5: not known publicly or carried on in public; esp: intended only for the persons involved
6: made under private signature
a private instrument
Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary of Law. Merriam-Webster. 1996.