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private
- Main Entry:
- 1pri·vate
- Pronunciation:
-
\ˈprī-vət\
- Function:
- 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 <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 patient2 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 b: being a private 3 a: withdrawn from company or observation <a private retreat> b: not known or intended to be known publicly : secret c: preferring to keep personal affairs to oneself : valuing privacy highly d: unsuitable for public use or display4: not having shares that can be freely traded on the open market <a private company>
— pri·vate·ly adverb
— pri·vate·ness noun
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