from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Privity \Priv"i*ty\, n.; pl. {Privities} (-t[i^]z). [From
{Privy}, a.: cf. F. privaut['e] extreme familiarity.]
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1. Privacy; secrecy; confidence. --Chaucer.
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I will unto you, in privity, discover . . . my
purpose. --Spenser.
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2. Private knowledge; joint knowledge with another of a
private concern; cognizance implying consent or
concurrence.
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All the doors were laid open for his departure, not
without the privity of the Prince of Orange.
--Swift.
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3. A private matter or business; a secret. --Chaucer.
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4. pl. The genitals; the privates.
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5. (Law) A connection, or bond of union, between parties, as
to some particular transaction; mutual or successive
relationship to the same rights of property.
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