—adj.
1 (foll. by to) sharing in the secret of (a person's plans etc.).
2 archaic hidden, secret.
—n. (pl. -ies)
1 US or archaic a lavatory.
2 Law a person having a part or interest in any action, matter, or thing.
Phrases and idioms:
Privy Council 1 (in the UK) a body of advisers appointed by the sovereign (now chiefly on an honorary basis and including present and former government ministers etc.).
2 usu. hist. a sovereign's or governor-general's private counsellors. privy counsellor (or councillor) a private adviser, esp. a member of a Privy Council.
privy purse Brit.
1 an allowance from the public revenue for the monarch's private expenses.
2 the keeper of this. privy seal (in the UK) a seal formerly affixed to documents that are afterwards to pass the Great Seal or that do not require it.
Derivatives:
privily adv.
Etymology: ME f. OF priveacute f. L privatus PRIVATE
Useful english dictionary. 2012.