/pruy vay"sheuhn/ , n.
1. lack of the usual comforts or necessaries of life: His life of privation began to affect his health.
2. an instance of this.
3. the act of depriving.
4. the state of being deprived.
[ 1350-1400; ME ( privacion ) privation- (s. of privatio ) a taking away. See PRIVATE, -ION ]
Syn. 1. deprivation, want, need, distress. See hardship .