Etymology From Middle English pryvy, prive, from Old French privé (“private”), from Latin prīvātus (“deprived”), perfect passive participle of prīvō (“to bereave, deprive; to free, release”). Doublet of private.
1
Historical Private, exclusive; not public; one's own.
Nonetheless, in the dark and privy stillness of our minds there are few of us who are not still haunted by worrisome doubts.1967, William Styron, The Confessions of Nat Turner, Vintage, published 2004, page 82:
3
With knowledge of; party to; let in on.
He was privy to the discussions.
William understood Diana more but idealized her less. He was privy to her volatile love life. He knew the tabloids made her life hell, but he also knew she colluded with them.April 5 2022, Tina Brown, “How Princess Diana’s Dance With the Media Impacted William and Harry”, in Vanity Fair:
Etymology From Middle English pryvy, prive, from Old French privé (“private”), from Latin prīvātus (“deprived”), perfect passive participle of prīvō (“to bereave, deprive; to free, release”). Doublet of private.
1
An outdoor facility for urination and defecation, whether open (latrine) or enclosed (outhouse).
2
A lavatory: a room with a toilet.
To counteract these degrading effects he advised that the privy should be in every house the room nearest to heaven, […].1921, Aldous Huxley, Crome Yellow, London: Chatto & Windus:
3
A toilet: a fixture used for urination and defecation.
Arconum—I found two chairs wanting in the gentlemen's room, and the bath room attached applied to other purposes... the privies and urinaries clean...1864 January 26, J.G. Lindsay, letter to P.P.L. O'Connel, §8
4
Law A partaker; one having an interest in an action, contract, etc. to which he is not himself a party.