I. ˈprī-vət adjective
Etymology: Middle English privat, from Anglo-French, from Latin privatus, from past participle of privare to deprive, release, from privus private, individual; probably akin to Latin pro for, in front of — more at for
Date: 14th century
1.
a. : intended for or restricted to the use of a particular person, group, or class
a private park
b. : belonging to or concerning an individual person, company, or interest
a private house
c.
(1) : restricted to the individual or arising independently of others
private opinion
(2) : carried on by the individual independently of the usual institutions
private study
a doctor in private practice
also : being educated by independent study or a tutor or in a private school
private students
d. : not general in effect
a private statute
e. : of, relating to, or receiving hospital service in which the patient has more privileges than a semiprivate or ward patient
2.
a.
(1) : not holding public office or employment
a private citizen
(2) : not related to one's official position : personal
private correspondence
b. : being a private
a private soldier
3.
a. : withdrawn from company or observation : sequestered
a private retreat
b. : not known or intended to be known publicly : secret
a private conversation
c. : preferring to keep personal affairs to oneself : valuing privacy highly
d. : unsuitable for public use or display
4. : not having shares that can be freely traded on the open market
a private company
• pri·vate·ly adverb
• pri·vate·ness noun
II. noun
Date: 15th century
1. archaic : one not in public office
2. obsolete : privacy
3. plural : private parts
4.
a. : a person of low rank in various organizations (as a police or fire department)
b. : an enlisted man of the lowest rank in the marine corps or of one of the two lowest ranks in the army
•
- in private