adj. & n.
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. 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. privily adv.
[ ME f. OF privé f. L privatus PRIVATE ]