[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/privy/)

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# privy

noun (a privy, privies); adjective (privy to, formal)

«privy» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. (old) An outdoor toilet, a small hut over a hole in the ground. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/privy/#m1)
2. (formal) «Privy to» means allowed to know a secret: «I wasn't privy to their plans.» [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/privy/#m2)
3. (UK, formal) In titles: Privy Council, a group that advises the king or queen. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/privy/#m3)
4. Privy chambers are the private rooms of a king or queen. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/privy/#m4)

### In the lessons

In history lessons and old stories a privy was the toilet at the bottom of the garden. In news, «privy to» means sharing secret knowledge. Phrases: privy to, Privy Council.

### Examples

- In the old days the privy was outside the house. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/privy/#x1)
- The farm had a wooden privy. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/privy/#x2)
- Only the captain was privy to the secret map. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/privy/#x3)
- I wasn't privy to their plan. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/privy/#x4)
- The Privy Council met at the palace. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/privy/#x5)
- Nobody wanted to walk to the privy in the dark. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/privy/#x6)
- Saouy, who witnessed the agitation of the people from the windows of the king's privy chambers, called to the executioner to strike at once. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/privy/#x7)

### Note

Plural: privies. Old-fashioned word; today: toilet, loo (UK), bathroom or restroom (US). «Privy to» is formal.

## In Jewish tradition

"Privy parts" is an old phrase for the sexual organs. In Kings, to be "privy" to something means to know it secretly in one's heart.

**Interpretation.** The law bars a man with this injury from joining the assembly of the LORD, and the rabbis discuss who is meant. In Kings, Solomon tells Shimei that his own heart knew his wickedness, and he is held to account.

### Examples

- He that is crushed or maimed in his privy parts shall not enter into the assembly of the LORD. (Torah DEU.23.1, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/P/privy/#x1)
- The king said moreover to Shimei: 'Thou knowest all the wickedness which thy heart is privy to, that thou didst to David my father; therefore the LORD shall return thy wickedness upon thine own head. (Prophets 1KI.2.44, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/P/privy/#x2)

### Note

Plural: privies. Old-fashioned word; today: toilet, loo (UK), bathroom or restroom (US). «Privy to» is formal.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «privy» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/privy/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«privy» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/privy.html) on Mova free.
- [Trees and pragmatics of «privy» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/P/privy/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«privy» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/privy.html) on Mova free.