private

I. 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 <

private study

> <

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 patient 2. 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 <

a private soldier

> 3. a. withdrawn from company or observation ; sequestered <

a private retreat

> b. not known or intended to be known publicly ; secret <

a private conversation

> c. preferring to keep personal affairs to oneself ; valuing privacy highly d. unsuitable for public use or display 4. not having shares that can be freely traded on the open market <

a private company

> • privately adverb • privateness noun II. noun Date: 15th century 1. archaic one not in public office 2. obsolete privacy 3. plural private parts 4. a. a person of low rank in various organizations (as a police or fire department) b. an enlisted man of the lowest rank in the marine corps or of one of the two lowest ranks in the army