Privy

Quick meaning: Privy is an adjective meaning (now chiefly historical) Private, exclusive; not public; one's own.

Meaning

(now chiefly historical) Private, exclusive; not public; one's own.

More Meanings

1. (now rare, archaic) Secret, hidden, concealed.
2. With knowledge of; party to; let in on.
3. An outdoor facility for urination and defecation, whether open (latrine) or enclosed (outhouse).
4. A lavatory: a room with a toilet.
5. A toilet: a fixture used for urination and defecation.
6. (law) A partaker; one having an interest in an action, contract, etc. to which he is not himself a party.

Example Sentences

the privy purse

He was privy to the discussions.

The king retreated to his privy chamber.

To counteract these degrading effects he advised that the privy should be in every house the room nearest to heaven, […].

Word Forms

• privie
• privies

Synonyms for privy

Depending on context, synonyms include bathroom, latrine, necessarium, toilet, toilet room, urinal.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include private, secret, secluded, facility, can, informed.

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