privy

Related to privy: privy purse, privy council

privy

1. noun A toilet, usually one that is outdoors (an outhouse). My uncle's house was built in the 1800s, so if you want to go to the bathroom, you have to use the privy out back.
2. verb Knowledgeable about something; made aware of something, especially a secret or private piece of information. Followed by "to" in this usage. I really don't like being privy to things I can't talk about with others—I'd prefer to just not know anything about it at all. I just wish you would make me privy to this kind of information before we head into a meeting with the heads of the entire corporation.

privy parts

archaic euphemism One's external genitalia. Did you see that vulgar painting Lord Edgar has in his sitting room? I don't care if it's Adam and Eve—privy parts should never be on display while one receives guests.
See also: part, privy
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

privy to something

Fig. knowledgeable about something secret or private. The reporter became privy to the senator's evil plan. Why are you privy to this secret information?
See also: privy
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

privy

n. an outdoor toilet; any toilet. Uncle Paul was out in the privy.
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions
See also:
  • privy to
  • angle
  • angling
  • fire and brimstone
  • high
  • high, wide, and handsome
  • wear (one's) apron high
  • bummer
References in periodicals archive
The Privy Council followed the "living tree" passage with an admonition that the Constitution should not be interpreted in a "narrow and technical" manner, but should rather be given a "large and liberal interpretation." (6) The Privy Council acknowledged the well-established rule that the then British North America Act, 1867 (7) (now the Constitution Act, 1867) (8) should be interpreted "by the same methods of construction" (9) as other statutes.
The Original Living Tree
Health officials privy to the developments shared that the meeting thoroughly discussed the requirement for Corneal Transplant Centres including recognised transplant centres as well as recognised transplant surgeons were registered with MTRA.
Man donates kidney to save sister
But Mr Rogers, author of new Privy Council history By Royal Appointment, said: "No one has become a Privy Counsellor in this way just because they didn't want to go to the meeting."
Jez 'must kiss hand of Queen'
JEREMY Corbyn has turned down an opportunity to be sworn in to the Privy Council amid continued uncertainty over whether he will declare allegiance to the Queen in person.
CORBYN MISSES PRIVY COUNCIL MEETING
JEREMY Corbyn will be joining the Privy Council, a spokesman for the new Labour leader confirmed.
Leader 'will join Privy Council'
LABOUR has denied leader Jeremy Corbyn snubbed the Queen by skipping a Privy Council meeting yesterday.
Cam stood up Queen for longer, say Corbyn allies
When Churchill was PM in the 1950s he was on the toilet one day when an official told him that the Lord Privy Seal (RA Butler) had come to see him.
Winston's toilet humour brilliant
CARDIFF Central MP Jenny Willott has announced she is "delighted" to have been appointed to the Queen's Privy Council.
Privy council role for Lib Dem MP Willott
Her Majesty's Most Honourable Privy Council is a formal body of advisers to the Queen.
Cardiff MP advising Her Majesty
We are really pleased to announce that the Privy Council have granted the IED powers to develop a Chartership for Product Designers.
Exciting news--chartership for product designers
The Wirral West MP has been given a position on the Privy Council - a prestigious advisory board for the Queen on matters of state.
A RT HON ROYAL ROLE FOR ESTHER; Privy Council position 'an 'honour' - MP
That could not have come at a worse time, as the Privy Council is about to decide on the future of Press regulation.
Mail pressed wrong button
In the policy-making and administrative hierarchy of the Canadian government's bureaucracy, no position outranks that of the Clerk of the Privy Council.
The bonds of institutional language: a discursive institutionalist approach to the Clerk of the Privy Council's annual report
It was a major achievement of the Quaid-i-Azam aimed at removing the 'disability and great hardship' that had been created by the decision of the Privy Council in the case of Abul Fata Mahomed Ishak and others v.
Quaid-i-Azam and Wakf-ul Aulad Law