privy

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   sharing secret or private knowledge of something, normally followed by to

   Only the trustees were privy to the details of the settlement.

2. 2
   adj

   private, secret, or belonging to a sovereign's personal council; formal or historical

   The matter was referred to the privy council for advice.

3. 3
   noun

   a toilet, especially a small outdoor building containing one; old-fashioned

   The remote cabin had a privy behind the woodshed.

From Middle English pryvy, through Old French prive, 'private,' from Latin privatus, 'set apart, private.' The senses developed from what is secluded or known only to a few; the toilet sense names a private, screened place.

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