| 释义 |
privateadj.1adv.n. Origin: A borrowing from Latin. Etymons: Latin prīvātus, prīvātum, privata. Etymology: < classical Latin prīvātus (adjective) restricted for the use of a particular person or persons, of or relating to a private person, not holding public office, belonging as private property, peculiar to oneself, special, individual, (noun) person who holds no public office, private person, member of the public, individual, in post-classical Latin also (adjective) close, intimate (from 8th cent. in British sources), confidential (12th cent. in a British source: see also note), (noun) close friend, confidant (c1125, 14th cent. in British sources), also prīvātum (neuter) private property, in post-classical Latin also privy, latrine (13th cent.), privy seal (15th cent. in British sources), post-classical Latin privata (feminine) privy, latrine (from 12th cent. in British sources), uses as adjective and noun of past participle of prīvāre prive v. Compare Middle French privat (c1500), Catalan privat (late13th cent. as adjective), Spanish privado (1196 as adjective; compare privado n.), Portuguese privado (13th cent. as noun, 14th cent. as adjective), Italian privato (late 12th cent. as adjective). Compare earlier privy adj. and its French etymon. With use as noun compare earlier privity n. and discussion at that entry.With private confession (see quot. 1650 at sense A. 7a) compare post-classical Latin privata confessio (14th cent. in a British source). A. adj.1 I. Restricted to one person or a few persons as opposed to the wider community; largely in opposition to public. society > faith > church government > monasticism > friar > [adjective] > withdrawn or separated Remonstr. against Romish Corruptions (Titus) in (1911) 26 747 (MED) Religiouse possessioneris..shulden ben apaied wiþ scars liflode & cloþinge geten wiþ here owne labour bi here privat rule [L. secundum eorum regulam], which þei seyn þat seynt benet & seynt austin maden to suche religiouse men. a1425 J. Wyclif (1869) I. 67 (MED) Þis asse and hir fole ben comen to þes pryvat ordris but not to alle Cristene men. c1475 (c1445) R. Pecock (1921) 79 Al priuate religiosite stondiþ in keping of þre vowis..vowe of chastite, vowe of wilful pouerte..and vowe of obedience to her prelate. 2. society > society and the community > social relations > lack of social communication or relations > [adjective] > free from public attention or intrusion > not for public use the world > relative properties > kind or sort > individual character or quality > quality of being special or restricted in application > [adjective] > special or private > not public a1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomaeus Anglicus (BL Add.) f. 332 Þe priuate wey longiþ to nyȝe towne and is schort and nyȝ and ofte ygrowe wiþ gras. ?a1475 (?a1425) tr. R. Higden (Harl. 2261) (1865) I. 91 (MED) The seruauntes goe on foote..to commune festes and priuate [a1387 J. Trevisa tr. priue] offices. a1600 ( W. Stewart tr. H. Boece (1858) II. 63 Quhair he wes bureit in ane prevat place. 1623 W. Shakespeare & J. Fletcher iii. i. 28 May it please you Noble Madam, to withdraw Into your priuate Chamber. View more context for this quotation 1638 R. Brathwait Bessie Bell in (new ed.) sig. Ee2 This place it is private. 1696 6 Aug. Wee..did meet at a privat countrey ale house. 1759 S. Johnson I. i. 2 According to the custom.., he [sc. Rasselas] was confined in a private palace. 1817 W. Selwyn (ed. 4) II. 1242 A person having a private way over the land of another, cannot, when the way is become impassable by the overflowing of a river, justify going on the adjoining land. 1849 T. B. Macaulay II. vi. 142 News which reached him through private channels. 1862 W. Sandby II. 239 It had..been the custom to regard the anniversary dinner as one of a private nature—a gathering of the members of the Royal Academy and of the friends and patrons of art. a1911 D. G. Phillips (1917) II. xi. 285 A man strode toward the frosted glass door marked ‘Private’. 1992 16 Jan. 15/2 A drugs squad detective..has been suspended after claims that a cannabis joint was rolled at a private party. b. Of or relating to a service provided on a paying basis, as opposed to through the State or another public body (sometimes with implication of benefit to an individual as distinct from a group). society > education > place of education > school > [adjective] > charging fees 1574 E. Hake Compendious Fourme Educ. in sig. F3 Now tell me whether priuate schoole or publicke better is. 1574 E. Hake Compendious Fourme Educ. in sig. Gv But if the publique care Should happe to cease, then euery man at home must needes prepare To haue a priuate teacher. 1581 R. Mulcaster xl. 228 If the maister minde his boorders eitheer only or most, where his charge is ouer moe, where then is his dutie? if not, what gaine haue those boorders, by their maisters priuate? 1581 R. Mulcaster xxxix. 183 (heading) Of priuate and publike education, with their generall goods & illes. 1670 D. Lloyd (ed. 2) 402 When private Tutors had initiated, publick Schools had seasoned, and the University had improved this Gentlemans sprightly and noble parts. 1695 J. Bellers 18 And I think such a Colledge-Education, under good Rules, beyond any Private one, having several Advantages the Private will want. 1756 M. Calderwood (1884) vi. 153 As for the boys of fashion,..if they are come from the country, they are boarded in what they call a pension, or have a private tutor to teach them. 1792 M. Wollstonecraft xii. 361 The good effects resulting from attention to private education will ever be very confined, and the parent who really puts his own hand to the plow, will always, in some degree, be disappointed. 1848 G. Moberly II. Pref. What then..is a public school? and wherein does it essentially differ from a private one? 1875 A. Trollope (1876) I. i. 6 He had been at a good English private school. 1999 9 Oct. (FT 1,000 Schools Suppl.) 3/3 Several schools, including the five King Edward VI grammar schools in the West Midlands, have raised the prospect of ‘going private’ if local parents vote to abolish the 11-plus. the world > health and disease > healing > medical services and administration > [adjective] > private 1754 W. Smellie II. xxvi. 437 I attended a private patient. 1826 5 Aug. 599/2 Many cases..to increase the revenue of some private practitioner. 1859 F. Nightingale vi. 38 I have often seen the private nurse go on dusting..while the patient is eating... The above remarks apply much more to private nursing than to hospitals. 1934 P. Bottome xii. 114 They stood in a small private room off the ward, and looked down at the moaning woman on the bed. 1956 P. Scott i. i. 26 I spent most of April in a private nursing home. 1967 P. Willmott vi. 158 Financial help towards the cost of private treatment is provided by several provident associations. 1976 N. Leigh-Taylor iv. 35 The Government has announced that it intends..to abolish private treatment in N.H.S. hospitals. 1996 13 Dec. 14/2 Presumably some of the patients who get hacked off waiting 18 months for an appointment decide to go private. 1641 T. Roe 5 We have yet another great help which is our owne..which is our fishing and erecting of Busses..and this by private industry (though to private losse) is beaten out already. 1723 F. Hutchinson 3 Improving the Ground must be carried on by private Industry, and Experiments of ingenious Men, more than by publick Laws. 1790 J. A. Park (ed. 2) i. 9 Any policy subscribed by a private firm or partnership, is absolutely void. 1872 S. A. Foot 140 I am not aware that any private corporation in this state can sue or be sued except in its corporate name. 1934 5 Oct. 4/1 The government..has had much to say about certain practices in the private business world by which fictitious values were created and traded on. 1978 W. W. Rostow xiii. 227 Growth was driven forward by..the expansion of public and private services facilitated by rapidly rising real incomes. 2005 (Nexis) 21 Dec. 32 He has secured around £5million in private backing for his electro-kinetic road ramp which is set to go into production next year. 3. a1400 Clensyng Mannes Sowle in (1901) 264 Priuate penaunce is that penaunce which is done alday whan a man will priuely be confessed of his schrift fadir. c1475 (c1445) R. Pecock (1921) 131 (MED) Neiþir bi story which þe disciplis and heerers of þe apostlis han writen, neiþir bi surest priuate reuelacioun, it is open þat crist maad enye suche positive lawe. 1526 W. Bonde ii. sig. Ki Onely for their priuat profyte. 1560 J. Daus tr. J. Sleidane f. xxxiiijv Certen priuate dyspleasures did growe betwixte hym and the Frenche kynge. a1616 W. Shakespeare (1623) ii. ii. 73 For your priuate satisfaction..I will let you know. View more context for this quotation 1651 T. Hobbes ii. xxii. 122 He, whose private interest is to be debated. 1776 A. Smith I. i. x. 177 When masters combine together in order to reduce the wages of their workmen, they commonly enter into a private bond or agreement. View more context for this quotation 1838 C. Thirlwall (new ed.) II. xv. 260 In reality they had only consulted their own private ambition. 1883 11 597 That the censure had been made injuriously and from motives of private malice. 1949 105 248 The days when the designer ignored everything that didn't fall into line with his own private taste. 1992 31 May 44/3 Fingers splayed in private ecstasy, [he] starts dancing all over the stage. the world > relative properties > kind or sort > individual character or quality > quality of being special or restricted in application > [adjective] > special or private the world > relative properties > kind or sort > individual character or quality > quality of being special or restricted in application > [adjective] > belonging to a particular thing or person 1526 2 Pet. i. 20 So that ye fyrst knowe this, that no prophesy in the scripture hath eny private interpretacion [ Wyclif ech prophecie..is not maad bi propre interpretacioun; Coverdale no prophecie..is done of eny priuate interpretacion; Geneva is of any priuate motion; Rhem. is made by priuate interpretation; 1611 is of any priuate interpretation.] 1559 in J. Strype (1709) I. App. viii. 20 The realm of Englande hath been alwaies governyd by private lawes and customes. 1593 T. Bilson vii. 86 Neither was this priuate to Timothie, but..it was vsuall in the Apostles times. 1651 C. Cartwright i. 120 How can any man assume to himselfe a freedome from Erring by the assistance of a private Spirit? 1956 13 Apr. 633/2 It would seem that the Diego factor is not a ‘private’ blood group, but rather that its incidence is high in Indians. 1969 17 305 The new private antigen Pta is probably inherited as a Mendelian dominant. 1991 7 Dec. 31/2 Some mutations, so-called ‘private’ mutations, are so rare that they occur in only one family. 2004 (Nexis) 27 1798 In Ojibwa-Cree indigenous Canadians, a private mutation..present in 20% of the population predisposes to diabetes. 4. society > society and the community > social relations > lack of social communication or relations > [adjective] > in a non-official capacity 1421 in W. Fraser (1885) III. 242 Archibald erle of Douglas..Giffin onder owr prewait seill. a1525 Bk. Chess l. 762 in W. A. Craigie (1923) I. 105 Thir Iudges suld richt veill attend fra pryvate luif. 1613 S. Purchas 286 In a priuate habit he visited the Markets, and hanged vp the hoorders of coine. a1668 W. Davenant Play-house to be Let iv, in (1673) 109 Kings who move within a lowly sphear of private love, Are too domestick for a Throne. 1713 R. Steele in 30 May 1/2 The private Letters of great Men are the best Pictures of their Souls. 1797 W. Godwin i. vii. 59 A private pupil is too much of a man. 1830 Chron. in 259/1 The eldest of three sons of the grand-duke Charles-Frederick, by his morganique, or private-marriage, with Louisa-Caroline, countess of Hochberg. 1878 W. E. H. Lecky I. i. 161 The influence which his good private character..once gave him had been rapidly waning. 1885 1 May A communication..by the State Veterinary Surgeon... ‘I went to Fulton as a private investigator nearly three weeks ago.’ 1920 H. Begbie 7 The private opposition he [sc. Lloyd George] encountered in Downing Street. 2002 D. D. N. Nsereko ii. ii. 82 An interesting issue that is not directly addressed by the Constitution is whether the President can consent to being sued in his private capacity. the mind > attention and judgement > contempt > obscurity or ingloriousness > [adjective] > not occupying public position society > society and the community > social class > the common people > the common people of any group > [adjective] > having no office society > authority > office > [adjective] > holding office > public > not society > occupation and work > worker > workers according to type of work > non-manual worker > businessman > [adjective] > not holding public office 1437 IV. 508/1 The commen sale and issue of alle ye Wolles..have been..hindred..by specialle licences graunted to private personnes, a part for to selle hir owne Wolles and Wollefelles at large for his singuler avauntage and ayeinst ye commen prouffit. a1475 J. Fortescue (Laud) (1885) 125 He lyved..in more subgeccion than doth a priuate person. 1549 (STC 16267) Ceremonies f. xxxv* The appoyntmente..pertayneth not to pryuate menne. 1589 G. Puttenham i. xxiv. 38 It [sc. war] toucheth the whole state, and euery priuate man hath his portion in the damage. 1644 J. Milton 16 No Poet should so much as read to any privat man, what he had writt'n. 1673 J. Ray 305 When the Gallies are at home those [slaves] that belong to private persons are permitted to lodge in their Masters houses. 1712 R. Steele No. 429. ⁋8 A Woman of Quality; married to a private Gentleman. 1776 A. Smith I. i. ix. 113 As the capital of a private man..may increase beyond what he can employ in it..so may likewise the capital of a great nation. View more context for this quotation 1817 J. Evans 72 It was a most uncommon thing for a private man, and a commoner, to be honoured with so long an audience. 1885 (United Telephone Co.) (ed. 6) 233 (advt.) The Birkbeck Bank opens Drawing Accounts with trading firms and private individuals. 1930 G. B. Shaw p. xix We cannot do this as private persons. It must be done by the Government or not at all. 1993 18 Jan. 30/3 Godwin's group is advocating that the government let private individuals use the most powerful encryption systems. 1632 W. Lithgow vii. 334 This Citty..was once the Capitall seat of the Kingdom, though now..it is onely become a priuate place. 5. the mind > possession > owning > [adjective] > own > own private 1442 in A. H. Thompson (1919) II. 52 Ye and thai aftere your rewle lyfe in commune..levyng vtterly all pryuate hydles, chaumbres and syngulere housholdes. c1484 (a1475) J. de Caritate tr. (Takamiya) (1977) 135 (MED) It is conuenient..to haue in hys howsold priuat seruauntys. ?1504 W. Atkinson tr. Thomas à Kempis (Pynson) iii. 221 The xxxi. chapiter, the loue of pryuate thynges & of mannys selfe letteth the perfyte goodnes of mannys soule. 1560 J. Daus tr. J. Sleidane f. cxxvij They teache howe it is not lawful for the christians..to haue any thynge priuate, yt al things ought to be common. 1598 E. Ford xxi. sig. X Shee went out of the Prison, by a priuate Key which shee had alwayes about her. a1616 W. Shakespeare (1623) iii. ii. 241 He hath left you all his Walkes, His priuate Arbors,..On this side Tyber. View more context for this quotation 1638 F. Junius 147 As for private Libraries, Martial teacheth us, That in them the Images of such Writers as were as yet surviving, might bee admitted. 1690 J. Locke iii. xi. 254 For Words..being no Man's private possession, but the common measure of Commerce and Communication. 1799 W. Tooke II. 531 The late empress having..relinquished her imperialties on the private mines. 1840 C. Thirlwall VII. 335 He sent back his brother Menelaus..together with his private baggage. 1899 21 Sept. 4/1 He hoped it would not go forth from the Conference that they wanted to stamp out all private venture schools. 1942 16 96 The establishment was certainly built as a private burial-place by a prominent local family. 1991 R. Ferguson vi. 106 He had a large estate in Scarsdale and a private golf course. 1610 P. Holland tr. W. Camden 36 What with ships for convoy of corne and victuals, and what with other private vessels that every man had built for to serve his owne turne, there was 800. saile and above. 1636 (new ed.) xxviii. 240 Captaines of Princes warfare-shippes should be..vigilant, diligent, and carefull... Their commandement and power over their company, not onely surpasseth the power of Masters and Commanders of private shippes, but also that of the Captaines on land. 1708 T. Langham 176/1 Imposition... Cloth on Private Ships, 20 per Cent. 1790 23 Sept. 565/1 It was the intention of the Minister that he should embark in a private vessel, without Government appearing to have any concern in it. 1845 15 294 Letters are made up by a local post-office, and sent to Lisbon by private ships. 1909 25 May 14/4 The Boadicea is to commission first as a private ship, but will subsequently relieve the Topaze, flying the broad pennant of commodore. 1986 N. A. M. Rodger (1988) i. 18 The decisions of a young commander of a sloop cruising alone might be more difficult than those of a senior post-captain commanding a private ship in a large squadron. 2005 (Nexis) 4 Jan. Donations..had been collected for tsunami victims in Acheh and would be sent via Port Klang tomorrow with the help of the Malaysian Navy and private vessels. the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > hiding, concealing from view > privacy > [adjective] 1472–3 VI. 29/2 After that dyvers of the Lordes and Knyghtes of the Shires were departed, by mervelous pryvat labour a Bille signed by the Kyng was brought to the seid Commens. 1533 J. Bellenden tr. Livy (1901) I. 225/12 The faderis, movit to hie displeseris be thir persand wourdis, held..mony private consultatiouns. 1594 W. Shakespeare ii. ii. 60 In this priuate place, be we the first to honor him with birthright to the Crown. 1615 R. Brathwait 120 Which he suspecting, lay in priuate wait, To catch the knaue. 1669 R. Mountagu in (Hist. MSS Comm.) (1899) I. 441 She desired..to send it over in my name, because that way it would be privater. 1700 J. Tyrrell II. 842 He lay private, till his Peace was made with the King. 1726 G. Leoni tr. L. B. Alberti I. 52/1 If the sound comes to you dead, and flat, it is a sign of some private [It. interna] infirmity. 1753 S. Richardson VI. xliv. 280 No hugger mugger doings—Let private weddings be for doubtful happiness. 1839 C. Dickens lx. 594 The same love of gain which led him to contract this marriage, led to its being kept strictly private. 1890 Jan. 13 It should be kept private for a time. 1977 May 4 The nest site is kept hidden, the jays approach it secretly, and nest-building and egg-brooding are very private. 1991 H. Brodkey 360 One's illicit uncensored private responses to war stuff was maybe a wistful and vicarious viciousness or a heroic unvicarious viciousness. 7. the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > hiding, concealing from view > privacy > [adjective] > conducted in private > of conversation, etc. 1560 J. Daus tr. J. Sleidane f. cxiijv The byshoppes hauynge priuate talke with the Quene. 1650 W. Brough 285 Private Confession is reteined in the Reformed Churches. 1734 Bp. J. Stearne Let. 25 June in J. Swift (1965) IV. 236 I shall put off my defence till I have the pleasure of half an hour's private conversation with you. 1791 A. Radcliffe I. vi. 222 I supplicate of you a few moments private discourse. 1857 A. Trollope xlvii He received a letter, in an official cover, marked ‘private’. 1894 ‘A. Hope’ ix. 128 I could hear no words, but Detchard's head was close to that of the taller of his companions... ‘H'm! Private communications,’ thought I. 1940 R. S. Lambert ix. 244 A letter was delivered..addressed ‘H. Brown, Esq., Broadcasting House’. It was not marked ‘Personal’ or ‘Private’. 1991 1 Dec. 30/2 Most of us miss these allusions; they are private communications to the cognoscenti. the mind > emotion > love > friendliness > [adjective] > intimate or familiar > privately intimate 1574 E. Hellowes tr. A. de Guevara 274 The Court is not but for men yt be priuate and in fauour, that can gather the frute thereof. 1612 J. Webster iii. i. 20 My lord duke & she have been very private. 1641 W. Mountagu in (Hist. MSS Comm.) (1899) I. 286 The King is often very private with Digby and Bristow. 1648 T. Gage 205 A great Politician, and very familiar, private, and secret with the Archbishop of Canterbury. 1821 Ld. Byron (2nd issue) iv. i. 102 Dismiss This menial hence; I would be private with you. 8. Telephony and Telegraphy. society > communication > telecommunication > telegraphy or telephony > telephony > [adjective] > status of line society > communication > telecommunication > telegraphy or telephony > telephony > [adjective] > ex-directory number society > communication > telecommunication > telegraphy or telephony > telephony > [adjective] > residential number 1852 L. Turnbull 137 Nearly all the railroad companies have private lines for their own use, and preparations are now making, which..will include every town..throughout Germany in this network of communications. 1878 6 51/1 The regulations concerning the despatch and receipt of telegrams, the tariffs for the same, and for the renting of private wires. 1924 J. Buchan xvi. 235 This must be a private telephone..of which only his special friends knew the number. 1976 T. H. Flowers i. 11 Picture telegraphy..is possible over the telephone service lines but difficulties discourage small users and encourage large users of such services to rent private circuits not subject to switching. 1990 J. Bradshaw x. 203 I changed my private phone number..to an unlisted number. 1996 13 Apr. a17 (advt.) Service will not provide numbers from cellular callers or call blocked or private numbers. society > communication > telecommunication > telegraphy or telephony > telephony > telephone equipment > [adjective] > types of exchange > types of exchange equipment 1852 20 July 3/6 The merchants and stockbrokers of this country..will form their own opinions as to the propriety of A K messages and private wires. 1906 J. Poole (ed. 3) xxx. 486 When a current is started and stopped through the ‘private’ magnet, the end of the side-switch arm slips under the outer tooth. 1919 R. Mordin i. 23 The whole arrangement of fixed contacts is called the connector bank; the upper half the private bank, and the lower the line bank. 1942 J. Poole x. 238 The potential on the private conductor throughout the call is normally that of earth. 1969 S. F. Smith vi. 153 A third wire is therefore provided on all connexions through the exchange, the potential of which indicates the condition of the circuit. This avoids intrusion on calls in progress and is called the private wire, usually abbreviated to ‘P-wire’. society > communication > telecommunication > telegraphy or telephony > telephony > telephone equipment > [adjective] > types of exchange 1891 J. Poole vii. 124 Fig. 102 represents a type of switch-board which was designed by the writer in 1881 for the use of private telephone exchanges. 1983 (BNC) 28 Apr. Mercury is waiting for Telecom to connect its equipment with a private telephone exchange. 1998 Aug. 104/3 (Gloss.) PABX , Private Automated Branch Exchange. Automated multi-extension exchanges or switchboards as used nowadays by most offices. II. Relating to or connected with activities restricted to one person or a few people. society > society and the community > social relations > lack of social communication or relations > retirement or seclusion > secluded place or place of seclusion > [adjective] a1513 R. Fabyan (1516) I. clix. f. lxxxviiv Ye sayd Bysshoppes were depryued of theyr dignyties and put into pryuate Houses of Relygyon. 1662 J. Ray ii. 162 We went to Shap,..where we saw the ruins of the abbey, very pleasantly situate in a private valley. 1746 P. Francis & W. Dunkin tr. Horace i. ix. 145 In private haunt, in public meet, Salute, escort him through the Street. 1750 III. Psalms x. 8 He sitteth in ambush with the rich in private places, that he may kill the innocent. 1756 J. Woolman (1971) i. 29 I frequently withdrew into private places and often with tears besought the Lord to help me. 1817 J. Evans 192 I scarce go out of my own house, and then only to two or three very private places, where I see nobody that really knows anything. 1896 A. R. White iv. 36 She reserves all those disagreeable fashions for a more private place. 1924 6 Dec. 1/1 The train on which Mr. Coolidge returned was more private. 1991 J. Phillips (1992) 345 The first thing one needs to find is a private place for bathroom requirements. society > society and the community > social relations > lack of social communication or relations > retirement or seclusion > [adjective] > retired or secluded (of person) 1585 R. Parsons ii. i. 191 S. Antony..a little before had professed a priuate and a solitarie life in Egypt. 1599 M. Drayton Idea in (new ed.) sig. P5 O God from you that I could priuate be. 1630 tr. G. Botero (rev. ed.) 58 Their women are very private, fearefull to offend. 1673 R. Leigh 79 How one of his private condition and breeding could arrive to this degree of court-ship. 1759 R. Jackson 379 'Tis true, but..so very private, that in the Herd of Gentry they are hardly to be found. 1850 L. Hunt xvii. 267 The privatest of all public men found himself complimented. 1991 Sept. 240/2 Unlike the Bloomsburys,..the leading writers in London today tend like Drabble and Holroyd to be very private. society > society and the community > social relations > lack of social communication or relations > solitude or solitariness > [adjective] 1599 W. Shakespeare i. i. 134 Away from light steales home my heauie sonne, And priuate in his Chamber pennes himselfe. View more context for this quotation 1623 W. Shakespeare & J. Fletcher ii. ii. 14 I left him priuate, Full of sad thoughts and troubles. View more context for this quotation 1752 S. Foote i. 3 Let us be private. 1851 H. Melville iii. 17 No man prefers to sleep two in a bed... I don't know how it is, but people like to be private when they are sleeping. 1928 D. H. Lawrence x. 140 A man could no longer be private and withdrawn. The world allows no hermits. 1983 J. Lingard i. 9 Ed Black wanted to be private, you could tell that at a glance. the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > secrecy, concealment > [adjective] > entrusted with secrets 1601 B. Jonson i. ii. sig. B3v Had Eccho but beene priuate with thy thoughtes. View more context for this quotation ?1635 F. Quarles (new ed.) ii. 81 Not making any private to her flight, She quits the house, and steales away by night. 1742 92 That Maid-servant of mine, who was private [1640 privie] to my Actions. the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > secrecy, concealment > [adjective] > disposed to secrecy, secretive a1625 J. Fletcher Wife for Moneth i. i, in F. Beaumont & J. Fletcher (1647) sig. Ffffff4v/1 You know I am private as your secret wishes, Ready to fling my soule upon your service. 1660 A. Marvell Let. 8 Dec. in (1971) II. 9 We hope you will be private in these things communicated to you out of faithfulness to your intrest. 1824 W. Scott II. xii. 278 You must give me yours [i.e. your word] to be private in the matter. B. adv.the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > hiding, concealing from view > privacy > [adverb] c1443 R. Pecock (1927) 364 Alle þe lyuyng of religiose persoones which þei leeden priuate and singuler..comeþ into þe lawe of god. a1592 R. Greene (1594) sig. Hiiv Nere had my Lord falne into these extreames, Which we will parle priuate to our selues. 1660 S. Pepys 6 Mar. (1970) I. 79 Everybody now drink the King's health..whereas before it was very private that a man dare do it. 1704 J. Trapp i. i. 117 I came private, and unattended. 1759 J. Shuter Let. 1 July in (1956) II. 663 The busnes Was Careyed on So privet that I did not know of it until it was all over. 1821 W. Scott I. viii. 202 He..came not thither so private but what he was espied by one who told me. 1876 ‘M. Twain’ xxxv. 272 I'll smoke private and cuss private. 1905 A. M. Binstead viii. 135 They arranges to stop ‘private’ in Brighton, at a little case in Black Lion Street where Tom Reeder annually took his old woman every August. 1977 I. Shaw i. ii. 25 We got some things to talk about together, private, him and me. 1996 C. I. Macafee 262/2 Private, privately, thus live private live on a private income. C. n. I. A private affair or thing. 1. the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > hiding, concealing from view > privacy > [adverb] society > society and the community > social relations > lack of social communication or relations > retirement or seclusion > [adverb] 1469 No. 419 I sall neuer in privat nothr in part be me or ony otheris..hendyr [etc.]. 1581 R. Mulcaster xxxix. 188 Doth not that deserue to be liked on in priuate, which is thoroughly tryed being showed forth in common? 1582 R. Stanyhurst tr. Virgil i. 9 Hee walcks on priuat with noane but faythful Achates. 1615 G. Sandys 171 Confesse they do, but not greatly in priuate. 1672 R. Baxter iii. 32 Could you wish..that the..Protestant Religion were kept up by none but the unconformable Ministers in private? 1732 T. Lediard tr. J. Terrasson II. ix. 273 You are absolutely forbidden speaking to him in private. 1791 A. Radcliffe I. v. 197 If you must be tyrannical, Madam, indulge your humour in private. 1832 H. Martineau vi Let each family eat in private. 1896 C. G. D. Roberts viii. 101 Would you speak with me in private, Father? 1952 B. Davidson i. i. 27 No serious South African will argue any longer (at least in private) that apartheid..can work. 1992 Feb. 14/2 Ashley..[is] willing to say in print what many more are muttering in private. society > society and the community > social relations > lack of social communication or relations > retirement or seclusion > [noun] a1616 W. Shakespeare (1623) iii. iv. 88 Go off, I discard you: let me enioy my priuate . View more context for this quotation a1641 J. Webster & T. Heywood (1654) ii. 11 I see there's nothing in such private done, but you must inquire after. a1657 G. Daniel Idyllia in (1878) IV. i. 58 Perhaps I have To my owne Private, had reflects, as grave On my Condition. †2. the world > relative properties > kind or sort > individual character or quality > quality of being special or restricted in application > [noun] > quality of being particular or not general > quality of being personal > quality of being intimate or private > private or personal matters 1549 N. Ridley Let. in R. Potts (1855) I. 245 [Letters] to signifye..the privits of my hart and consciance. 1592 H. Unton (1847) 289 I will no longer hold your Lordship with this my privatt. 1606 W. Warner xv. xcvi. 383 Phocas for his Priuats Rome the Supreme Sea promoted. 1611 B. Jonson iii. sig. G2v Nor must I be vnmindfull of my priuate . View more context for this quotation 1642 J. March 7 When it concerns any mans private. 1674 R. Josselin 10 May (1976) 575 My private very afflictive. the mind > mental capacity > belief > expressed belief, opinion > personal opinion > [noun] 1599 A. Day (rev. ed.) i. sig. U1 Yet may you vouchsafe in your owne priuate to reckon mee with the greatest in willingnesse. the world > physical sensation > cleanness and dirtiness > sanitation > privy or latrine > [noun] 1600 J. Hamilton Sacram. 281 Ȝoung wemen..casting thair new borne babes in filthie priuets, vthers in colpots, and in vther secret places. the world > life > the body > sex organs > [noun] 1604 W. Shakespeare ii. ii. 236 In the middle of her fauours..her priuates we. 1756 M. Mooney 12 They both affect the Privates in the same Manner. 1772 N. D. Falck i. ii. 28 Women have naturally many discharges from their privates, to which men are strangers with theirs. 1835 A. Smith 29 July (1940) II. 136 They had a piece of skin bound round the body and a piece of rag hanging before the privates. 1900 G. M. Gould & W. L. Pyle xiv. 734 The man..cut off the whole external genital apparatus, remarking as he flung the parts into a corner: ‘Any—fool can cut his throat, but it takes a soldier to cut his privates off!’ 1940 C. McCullers ii. iv. 155 He's so fat he hasn't seen his privates for twenty years. 1955 S. Beckett 77 She..thrust her stick between my legs and began to titillate my privates. 1993 31 May (Summer Soccer Special) 7/2 I kicked the ball across the pitch for a throw-in and it hit my old Cambridge team-mate John Francis in the privates. He dropped like a stone. the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > hiding, concealing from view > privacy > [noun] > private matter or business a1616 W. Shakespeare (1623) iv. iii. 16 The Count Meloone,..Whose priuate with me of the Dolphines loue, Is much more generall, then these lines import. View more context for this quotation society > education > place of education > school > [noun] > private school 1925 C. Connolly Let. 6 Apr. in (1975) 64 I met quite a nice small boy who is at my private. 1932 N. Mitford v. 81 At my private..we had a most handy little cemetery for the fathers, just behind the cricket pav. 1965 22 July 128/1 What private were you at? 1986 ‘J. le Carré’ xii. 323 Look here, old boy..I don't think we should go through life wearing hairshirts about what we did at our private. the world > health and disease > healing > places for the sick or injured > [noun] > hospital or infirmary > hospital ward > types of ward 1942 M. Dickens vii. 116 People who told me I should be a house-parlourmaid ‘on Privates’ had over-estimated. I was Dogsbody. the world > food and drink > drink > drinking > drinking place > [noun] > tap-room or bar > other bars 1963 N. Marsh i. 9 There was only one other woman in the Private beside Jenny. 1975 A. Hunter xxxiii. 132 Come into the private—I would not have you leave without a crack. II. A private person. †9. society > authority > office > holder of office > [noun] > not society > society and the community > social class > the common people > the common people of any group > [noun] > person > holding no office 1483 (BL Add. 89074) (1881) 291 A Priuate, priuatus. a1616 W. Shakespeare (1623) iv. i. 235 And what haue Kings, that Priuates haue not too, Saue Ceremonie, saue generall Ceremonie? View more context for this quotation 1671 J. Milton 1211 I was no private but a person rais'd With..command from Heav'n To free my Countrey. View more context for this quotation society > society and the community > social relations > lack of social communication or relations > [noun] > person not holding public position > collectively 1716 A. Pope 29 Nov. (1956) I. 377 You have already done enough for the Private, do something for the Publick. 1744 R. North & M. North 234 Who hath neither Inclination nor Temptation to court the Public, or flatter the Private. society > armed hostility > warrior > soldier > common soldier > [noun] 1756 G. Washington Let. 21 July in (1931) I. 408 John Coke, who was appointed to your Company, a Sergeant, has since been broke for neglect of Duty. You will receive him as private and in his room as Sergeant, Mark Hollies.] 1775 2 188 Regular companies of Militia..consist of one Captain,..one drummer, one fifer, and about 68 privates. 1797 II. 419 The respective increase of monthly pay for able seamen, ordinary seamen, and landmen, with 2d. per day to the non commissioned officers of marines, and 2¼ d. to the privates, would produce a sum total yearly £.351,000. 1810 Duke of Wellington (1836) VI. 45 One officer, four serjeants and fifty privates of the 23rd light dragoons. 1863 3 Oct. 84 The privates employed in the Navy are classed in the following rates. 1898 18 July 5/3 The officerless privates then went in and did nobly. 1918 Aug. 9/2 The C.O. endeavours to persuade Private Hardcase to accept Blighty Leave. 1954 W. Faulkner (1955) 54 Two British privates were resting on the firestep of a frontline trench. 1991 Nov. 12/2 Everyone I spoke to, from the most junior Private to the Commander of 3rd Brigade..seemed confident that they belonged to a team of professionals. Compounds C1. a. General attributive (chiefly in sense A. 2). 1564 A. Bacon tr. J. Jewel sig. Pi The Bysshops of the weste parte of the worlde didde call togeather Synodes, and make priuate assemblies in their Prouinces. 1621 P. Heylyn 51 These latter being called Hugonotts, so named as they say of a gate in Tours (where they first began) called Hugo's gate, out of which they vsed to goe to their priuate assemblies. 1651 T. Hobbes ii. xix. 99 If it [sc. the succession] be in any other particular Man, or private Assembly, it is in a person subject, and may be assumed by the Soveraign at his pleasure. 1797 E. Malone in J. Reynolds I. p. lv When not engaged..in some publick or private assembly, or at the theatre. 1842 14 Apr. 4/5 He had summoned only a private assembly in a corner of the Reform Club. 1910 III. 176 The prohibition of public worship drove the people to private assemblies. 1983 42 143 Dostoevsky committed the indiscretions that resulted at once in his arrest, declaiming Belinsky's radical letter to Gogol at more than one private assembly. 2013 C. Tame tr. P. Cossart i. 66 If a representative of authority wants to enter a private assembly, the organizer can deny him access. 1549 (STC 16267) Priuate Baptisme f. v*v, (heading) Of them that be Baptised in priuate houses in tyme of necessitie... Priuate Baptisme. 1662 The Ministration of Private Baptism of Children in houses. 1774 (Royal Soc.) 64 439 The number of children, who died after receiving only private baptism, in consequence of which their deaths were registered, but not their births, amounts to 17. 1852 J. Beaven (title) A manual for the visitation of the sick..to which is added, the office for private baptism. 1996 39 1000 The Breslau messenger Merkert, who had baptised his own child, was acquitted by the courts on the grounds that private baptisms were legal. 1795 5 Jan. 4/2 (advt.) Many years established as a private Boarding House. 1818 21 The dieting of the students should be left to private boarding-houses of their own choice. 1987 (Nexis) 14 Jan. a16 If you're troublesome, alcoholic, or restive, chances are you'll be forced by economics to live in places like Channan Court, a notorious private boarding house. 2013 S. Robinson ix. 196 The lack of protections for people living in the private boarding house and hostel sector resulted in many abuses over time. 1848 5 Feb. 129/2 Hackney cabs would soon get to rival private broughams in their comfort and appearance. 1864 A. Trollope I. xxxix. 304 He saw Mrs Greenow issue forth from the Close in a private brougham, accompanied by one of the Fairstairs girls. 1922 J. Joyce ii. vii. [Aeolus] 143 Hackney cars, cabs, delivery waggons, mailvans, private broughams. 1999 J. Glavin ii. 48 Nicholas himself becomes an idol of the town, rich, feted: ladies of the chorus on every chaise longue, while countesses by the dozen wait near the stage door discreetly expectant in their private broughams. 1787 17 Jan. 3/2 She was interred in her family-vault at Sutton, in Essex, to which place she was drawn by a hearse and six horses, followed by her own private carriage. 1826 W. Hone (1827) II. 57 Private carriages..draw up to the box door with a vigorous sweep. 1921 V. Woolf String Quartet in 59 Private carriages..have been busy at it, weaving threads from one end of London to the other. 1999 T. May 13 The cabs that they ran were only one type of vehicle amongst many that they made available, others often including omnibuses and hearses or mourning coaches, as well as a variety of private carriages. 1564 T. Harding i. f. 25v By this decree we learne, that then Masses were commonly sayd in priuat chappelles at home. 1691 A. Wood I. 579 He bequeathed all his books, his two Chalices, his Crewetts, holy water stock [etc.]..to his private chappell in London. 1786 19 Sept. 2/3 Their Majesties attended by four of the Princesses, went to the private Chapel at Windsor, and heard divine service there. 1839 H. W. Longfellow I. ii. ix. 195 Besides, he is known as a man of learning and piety;—has his private chapel, and private clergyman. 1994 25 Nov. 9/4 Part of the design includes a tricanale, which came from the designs of Andrewes's private chapel. 2009 W. Lister i. 31 The king,..who was known for his piety, heard a simple form of Mass, or devotions, probably early in the morning in the private chapel in the palace. 1564 T. Harding ii. f. 42 Many of the places that I alleged in the article before this for priuate communion, may serue to this purpose very wel. a1649 J. Winthrop (1853) I. 340 Excommunication is no other but when Christians withdraw private communion from one that hath offended. a1776 D. Hume (1854–6) IV. xlvii. 443 The rites introduced by James regarded the kneeling at the sacrament, private communion, private baptism, confirmation of children, and the observance of Christmas and other festivals. 1823 M. W. Shelley III. 267 We know nothing of the private communion of these friends. 1910 I. 974/1 An invalid may always have his private communion. 2003 (Nexis) 21 June m6 It's the classic image of a little child, wrapped in private communion with a book, oblivious of the clatter from the kitchen, the dog barking, the car accelerating down the road. society > education > [noun] > systematic education > education at home 15812Priuate education [see sense A. 2b(a)]. 1668 D. Lloyd 271 He was..against Fathers keeping their Children at home under their own tuition, because private Education hardly raiseth Youths to that vigor, freedom, and generosity of spirit, that a more publick doth. 1742 S. Richardson IV. liv. 341 He may teach a young Gentleman, betimes, that necessary Presence of Mind, which those who are confin'd to a private Education, sometimes want. 1839 H. T. Tuckerman 16 Isabel had reaped the advantages of a faithful private education and occasional visits to the principal cities of her country. 1992 6 June 30/1 Parents opt for private education because they worry that they will have no choice but to send their children to the lousy comprehensive around the corner. 2014 A. Piper iv. 37 Several entities chose to open their own schooling system,..and that tradition of private education has continued in the Albuquerque area along side of public schooling. 1577 R. Willes & R. Eden tr. Peter Martyr of Angleria f. 258v Many Bonzii returne lykewise to these priuate funeralles. 1676 E. Settle iv. i. 41 If 'twere by your Sword her Chance to fall, My hand should give her private Funeral. 1766 T. Amory II. v. 162 I gave her a decent private funeral; a hearse, and one mourning-coach, in which I alone attended her remains to the earth. 1883 Mar. 648/1 ‘Well,’ said the Pacific sloper, ‘if it's a private funeral, what do they call it a reception for?’ 2002 11 Mar. 42/3 The van Dams plan a private funeral, with a public memorial on March 16 at the beach in La Jolla. 1576 A. Fleming tr. Isocrates in 175 To thinke of them, as of things in priuate meetings of friends & familiar companions, very requisite & auailable. 1612 W. Strachey Lawes in P. Force (1844) III. ii. 39 Hee shall command all disordred people vntimely (sitting vp late in vsuall assemblies, whither in priuat meetings, publike tap-houses, or such like places) vnto their rests. 1748 S. Richardson IV. xxxiv. 202 No woman ever gave me a private meeting for nothing; my dearest Miss Harlowe excepted. 1896 Aug. 274/1 On the eve of her marriage Clorinda has a private meeting in her house with Sir John. 1995 C. Sagan vi. 103 I arranged for McDonald to present his best cases in a private meeting with leading physicists and astronomers. society > leisure > the arts > performance arts > drama > [noun] > dramatic performance > in private 1603 W. Shakespeare ii. iii. 340 Yfaith my Lord, noueltie carries it away, For the principall publike audience that Came to them, are turned to priuate playes, And to the humour of children. 1633 W. Prynne i. vi. v. 495 These Statutes (which are principally intended in private Playes and Enterludes, since they condemne and suppresse all publike,) seeme to allow of popular Stage-playes. 1790 F. Reynolds i. 12 Whence arises the pleasure at an Opera, a private Play, or a Speech in Parliament? 1868 P. Fitzgerald I. vi. 158 It was once determined to get up a private play..and the parts were cast in a moment. 1989 (Nexis) 27 Jan. 21 The Duchess of Leinster adopted her, and the Duke of Richmond made her supervisor of his private plays. 2014 D. J. Jones Introd. 17 The Comte de Caylus frequently used magic lanterns in his private plays. society > leisure > the arts > performance arts > the theatre or the stage > a theatre > [noun] > other types of theatre 1633 W. Prynne ii. i. 835 Whether the profession of a Playhouse-Poet, or the penning of Playes for publike or private Theaters, be warrantable or lawfull? 1784 W. Hayley (title) Plays of three acts written for a private theatre. 1807 E. Weeton 18 Nov. (1969) 50 She..was never outshone in elegance of movement at a Ball, out-performed at a private Theatre. 1999 19 Oct. e3/4 Grounded in jazz, copping its wit from jump blues, the music Ms. Jones made transformed the American musical canon into her private theater and hiding place. 1787 J. Powell (title) The narcotic & private theatricals. 1818 J. Keats 23 Jan. (1931) I. 96 I began an account of a private theatrical—Well it was of the lowest order, all greasy and oily. 1831 D. E. Williams I. 50 Nor did he ever take part in any private theatricals. 1990 Nov. 76/1 Lust was trench warfare for him, a private theatrical for her. 2007 G. Russell in J. Moody & D. O'Quinn xiii. 191 Probably the best-known example of a private theatrical in the Georgian period is..the scheme to stage Lovers' Vows in Jane Austen's Mansfield Park (1814). society > morality > moral evil > evil nature or character > lack of magnanimity or noble-mindedness > self-interest > [adjective] > not motivated by public good 1602 W. Fulbecke 58 Secreat meetinges of male-contents, phantasticall, and priuate humored persons. 1655 J. Sergeant 19 The Doctors private-spirited opinion. 1709 J. Shaw iii. 19 The sloathful private spirited and inglorious Stranger. 1834 J. L. Motley Let. 17 Jan. in (1889) I. ii. 33 The palaces in Berlin being all very simple, private-looking houses. 1895 21 Sept. 368 Unpatriotic and..private-spirited reason. 1925 34 25 Selfish and private-spirited activities, no less than noble and public-spirited activities, obey this law. 1993 31 Mar. 41/4 Mostly this is exemplary private-minded, public spirited journalism. 2004 (Nexis) 18 May 30 Housed in a long, low, private-looking building of honey-coloured stone, the sanctuary is all that it says it is—a retreat from bustle and stress. C2. society > trade and finance > financial dealings > banking > [noun] > bank-account society > trade and finance > management of money > keeping accounts > account or statement of > [noun] > other types of accounts 1772 2 Oct. 210/2 Had James..any conception that you was indebted upon your own private account? 1785 16 Sept. 3/2 Above 600,000..sterling per annum have been drawn off on private accounts, by the way of China alone. 1854 C. Norton 81 Mr Norton..sent his attorney to make extracts at their bank, of all sums entered in my private account. 1987 W. J. Burley (BNC) 66 On the day Mr Riddle disappeared he drew two hundred and ninety pounds from his private account. 2009 B. Kaye x. 233 When you have your own private account, you don't have to ask permission for money to implement a private choice. society > law > types of laws > [noun] > with reference to individual a1638 R. Brownlow (1651) 325 Coke cheife Justice..did agree that the Arbitrement, the Convaiance, nor the private Act made nothing in the Case, for by these the Commoner cannot be barred of his Common. 1705 vi. 78 Being a private Act none can be indicted. 1818 W. Cruise (ed. 2) V. 527 An estate tail, granted by Richard III. to the Derby family..which by a private act of 4 Jac. I. was limited to the heirs male of the family in a different manner from that in which it had been limited by the letters patent. 1991 J. Kingdom xiii. 213 Parliament sometimes extended the provisions of a good private Act to cover all areas by passing a public Act. 2005 E. K. Bankas iv. 75 If the act is by its nature such as any private person could engage in, as, for instance, a contract or a loan, the act, whatever its purpose, is a private act. society > armed hostility > armed forces > the Army > [noun] > other types of army 1857 18 Nov. 8/2 His own Contingent was still so strong as not to be immediately controlable by his private army. 1933 E. A. Mowrer 94 The Steel Helmet, or Confederation of Front-line Soldiers, the most respectable of the private armies, was founded on Christmas Day, 1918. 1959 M. Gilbert ix. 95 The police were a private army. 1968 23 July 41 (heading) Norman Mailer enlists his private army to act in film. 1992 Jan. 79/1 With the veneer of the Soviet threat torn away, agency actions prove more than ever a thesis shared by numerous former CIA agents—that the national security apparatus is little more than the private army of the Fortune 500. society > trade and finance > financial dealings > banking > [noun] > bank > other types of bank 1696 W. Killigrew 15 That a distinct Appartment, in this Office, shall be fitted; where all Merchants, and Others, may lodge their Cash, as in the Public, or Private Banks. 1714 in A. M. Davis (1902) 115 Which does most of all import them, the Publick or the Private Bank? 1802 M. Edgeworth Let. 1 Dec. in (1979) 43 Private banks never issue any notes. 1978 M. Birmingham 120 My mother wanted me to be a banker..in one of the small, distinguished private banks. 2000 20 5/3 Even in countries where private banks do not print the currency today, these institutions do create money when they make loans. society > trade and finance > financial dealings > banking > [noun] > one conducting banking business > manager, director, or proprietor of bank > types of banker 1711 P. H. 104 The Private Bankers, who look'd upon the Bank with an envious Eye from its first Establishment. 1776 A. Smith I. i. ix. 111 Private bankers in London give no interest for the money which is deposited with them. View more context for this quotation 1884 29 Apr. 1/4 The secretary had exercised a wise discretion by depositing money with the treasurer rather than with a private banker. 1978 P. Noyes viii. 104 A house which only a private banker could possibly have described as a cottage. 2014 D. Cox viii. 115 When the account is in the name of an individual, the private banker must establish whether the client is acting on his/her own behalf. society > trade and finance > financial dealings > banking > [noun] > types of 1757 M. Postlethwayt ix. 211 By the Means of public and private Banking. 1793 30 July 74/1 On account of its permanency, such an institution is preferable to private banking. 1818 9 Apr. 2/3 The Chancellor of the Exchequer replied, that his regulations went solely to the system of private banking. 1836 in W. L. Mackenzie (1846) 176 If the fetters are knocked off by the repeal of the Restraining Law, private banking associations may be formed. 1997 19 Sept. 32/1 Just two decades ago, reference to private banking in London would only really entail such organisations as Coutts & Co and Hoare & Co. the world > food and drink > drink > drinking > drinking place > [noun] > tap-room or bar > other bars 1892 A. Conan Doyle in Jan. 79/2 Holmes pushed open the door of the private bar, and ordered two glasses of beer from the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. 1910 H. G. Wells viii. 259 The policeman..put his head inside the Private Bar, to the horror of every one there. 1972 M. Gilbert xii. 107 She was in here..just after we opened. She came into the private bar. 1992 28 Sept. 11/4 The confused housewife with the naff sofa, and the private bar in her garage. 2007 S. Williams x. 123 Upstairs would be the two vip rooms..with a private bar and a private dancing room in each one. the world > physical sensation > cleanness and dirtiness > cleaning > washing > washing oneself or body > [noun] > bathing > place for bathing > bathroom 1771 T. Smollett I. 91 To purify myself from all such contamination, I went to the duke of Kingston's private Bath, and there I was almost suffocated for want of free air. 1825 E. Weeton 14 June (1969) II. 384 I like to bathe alone, and a private bath is just to my taste. 1906 ‘O. Henry’ 47 The double front room with private bath. 1995 Jan. 32 (advt.) Three bedrooms, each with private bath. 1857 (new ed.) I. 474/2 The establishment should possess washing-rooms, single private bath-rooms, a large plunge bath-room, and waiting-rooms for the several classes of bathers. 1910 Apr. 1148 Suites of rooms with private Bathrooms. 1995 26 Apr. 23/3 (advt.) All apartments have fully equipped kitchenettes, private bathroom and balconies. the world > the earth > land > land mass > shore or bank > seashore or coast > [noun] > beach or foreshore > spec 1859 26 Mar. 6/4 (advt.) The location is..near a fine private beach for sea bathing, fine roads, delightful drives. 1860 26 Dec. 11/5 All the comforts of a country home, fine sea air, a private beach, and the services of an efficient resident governess. 1961 6 May 212 A new 1st-class hotel, the Hibiscus, with private beach, opens this summer. 1991 Mar. 108/3 There are no private beaches in Goa, but in peak season guards unobtrusively try to keep the peddlars away from the cream pickings. 1855 24 Sept. 9/1 For private beds ‘revolving fans’ are used within mosquito curtains. 1927 4 Nov. 420/2 The new hospital will contain about 415 public beds, seventy-five private beds and an extensive out-patient department. 1967 P. Willmott vi. 158 Private beds amount to little over one per cent of the total number of beds in use. 1993 A. Goodman (BNC) 232 There were..approximately 4,000 private beds in NHS hospitals out of a total of 400,000 hospital beds throughout the country. society > law > types of laws > [noun] > with reference to individual 1572 2 101 It is ordered by the house to sytte at afternoones, from three of the clock till six, and to proceede but only in private bills. 1678 S. Butler iii. ii. 145 Who..Can..Lay Publick Bills aside, for Private, And make 'em one another Drive out. 1785 9 Feb. 34/3 The House of Peers came to a resolution not to receive any reports from the Judges on private Bills. 1844 T. E. May 302 The functions of Parliament in passing private bills, have always retained the mixed judicial and legislative character of ancient times. 1990 Apr. 16/1 Fighting Parliamentary Private Bills has added to the problems facing conservationists. 1819 26 Mar. 2/5 Leave might be granted them to deposit in the private bill office, a sectional plan of the property through which the rail-road was to run. 1850 in J. Irving 30 Nov. (1872) 315/1 Plans for about 104 new schemes were deposited to-day in the Private Bill Office. 1981 6 502 The last of the older offices, the Private Bill Office, which looks after bills for the benefit of particular interests, dates from the first appointment of a Clerk of Private Bills in 1810. society > leisure > the arts > performance arts > the theatre or the stage > a theatre > auditorium > [noun] > box or compartment a1640 P. Massinger (1658) ii. sig. E2 The private Box took up at a new Play For me, and my retinue. 1787 10 Aug. 2/1 Wednesday evening their Highnesses the Prince of Wales and Duke of York were in a private box, at the Hay-market Theatre. 1897 R. Kipling Let. 1 June in C. E. Carrington (1955) x. 254 We went to the Lyceum... Irving put a private box at our disposal. 2004 (Nexis) 28 Mar. 9 It is a beautiful 1,500-seat auditorium with ornate plaster ceilings, faded ruby-red carpets, sloping balcony and gilded private boxes above each side of the stage. society > communication > telecommunication > telegraphy or telephony > telephony > telephone equipment > [noun] > exchange 1904 (Amer. Inst. Electr. Engineers) 107 There are at the present time in New York over 5,000 of these private branch exchanges, with a total of over 60,000 stations. 1911 W. Aitken xxi. 416 No hotel or warehouse of any standing is now considered complete without a private branch exchange connected to the ‘Central’ by a number of circuits. 1992 11 Oct. a24/3 The scam targets the multifunction switchboard used by most corporations—the private branch exchange, or PBX. society > education > teaching > systematic or formal teaching > [noun] > extra tuition 1868 25 June 10/4 Their tutor used to have a class list of his own for what was called private business, where the ordinary studies of the school were made to give way in favour of English essays. 1900 J. S. Farmer 158 Private-business,..extra work with the tutor. 1979 D. Newsome ii. 87 Half-an-hour's preparation for his Private Business lecture on Napoleon. 1995 (Nexis) 14 June 22 Two nights a week boys take part in what the school regards as one of the jewels of its intellectual crown—‘private business’, or tutorials. society > communication > telecommunication > telegraphy or telephony > telephony > [noun] > call or message > types of 1907 2 Nov. 6/5 Is it likely, with the best intentions on the part of the principals, that these various private calls of employés and servants get recorded by the subscriber? 1942 E. Waugh i. 52 There's a ridiculous woman on the line saying is this a private call? 1993 S. James (BNC) 242 He hoped he at least sounded businesslike, as though it were not a private call. society > travel > rail travel > rolling stock > [noun] > railway wagon or carriage > carriage designed to carry passengers > other types of passenger carriage society > travel > means of travel > a conveyance > vehicle > powered vehicle > motor car > [noun] > privately owned and used 1826 6 July 2/2 Several private cars, on which were ladies, were stopped opposite Colonel White's committee-room. 1832 1 495/3 Parties of twenty or more persons can be accommodated..with a private car. 1897 R. Kipling ix. 186 Send ‘Constance’, private car, here, and arrange for special [train]. 1926 12 May 1/3 There were few private cars on the roads and nearly every vehicle was labelled ‘Food only’. 1990 30 Apr. 23/1 Hanoi's narrow tree-lined streets are filled with bicycles and pedicabs, for private cars are a rarity in the city. society > communication > manifestation > showing to the sight > exposure to public view > an exhibition > [noun] > exhibit > collection 1692 A. Wood II. 594 In the possession of the other is his Cabinet of Greek Medals, as curious as any private collection whatsoever. 1751 T. Smollett II. lxix. 253 No private collection in Europe was equal to that of Sir Hans Sloane, which, exclusive of presents, had cost an hundred thousand pounds. 1864 A. Trollope I. x. 76 The library, which was the largest of the three, was a handsome chamber, and so filled as to make it well known in the University as one of the best private collections in that part of England. 1979 R. Cox i. 24 There were several Memlings in Austrian private collections. Stefan Zweig owned one. 1995 27 The exhibition made a profound impression on the young Charles Handley-Read, inspiring him to form the most important private collection of Victorian decorative art ever assembled. society > occupation and work > business affairs > a business or company > [noun] > other types of company ?1711 1 Whether the Government cannot maintain Settlements abraod as well as a Private Company? 1788 T. Jefferson 14 Apr. At the village of Kaeferthal is a plantation of rhubarb, begun in 1769 by a private company. 1846 9 212 The want of any general municipal authority has caused the relinquishment of the street lighting into the hands of private companies. 1908 c. 69 §121 For the purposes of this Act the expression ‘private company’ means a company which by its articles—(a) Restricts the right to transfer its shares; and (b) Limits the number of its members..to fifty; and (c) Prohibits any invitation to the public to subscribe for any shares or debentures of the company. 1928 (Liberal Industr. Inq.) ii. vii. 84 The most important existing legal distinction is between Public Companies..and Private Companies, limited to not more than 50 shareholders. 1948 c. 38 §31 If at any time the number of members of a company is reduced, in the case of a private company, below two,..and it carries on business for more than six months while the number is so reduced, every person who is a member of the company during the time that it so carries on business..shall be severally liable for the payment of the whole debts of the company contracted during that time. 1996 23 Aug. i. 3/1 Growing numbers of agencies from private companies to central and local government hold ever-increasing amounts of..information about individuals. the mind > attention and judgement > enquiry > investigation, inspection > secret observation, spying > procedures used in spying > [noun] > private detection > person engaged in 1857 27 June 1/3 Now if, instead of making indirect charges against private detectives,..the Mayor would employ some effective means to catch the burglars [etc.]. 1861 E. D. Cook ii. 31 A private detective, ready to peer into anybody's cupboards and gimletise anybody's doors. 1936 A. Christie v. 38 ‘Then you're not—anything to do with the police, sir?’ ‘I am a private detective.’ 1995 23 Nov. 12/7 The authority and the insurers said they would continue to use private detectives to examine claims. society > occupation and work > worker > workers according to type of work > manual or industrial worker > builder > [noun] > builder of houses > speculative 1911 11 Aug. 3/7 The coal fields given over to private developers on a lease hold system as simple as possible. 1934 18 June 11/3 Whether public or private developers take the matter in hand, they will have to act quickly, for negotiations nowadays are speedy. 1972 25 May 1330/1 Berkshire has given planning permission for some 18,000 houses, of which private developers build less than 3,000 new houses a year. 1991 Sept. 5/3 The island nation is trying to do all it can to attract private developers. society > inhabiting and dwelling > inhabited place > district in relation to human occupation > town as opposed to country > [noun] > town-planning or development > a development > by private individual or company 1910 30 Apr. 9/1 The best picture in England of the effects of a private development grant. 1924 H. Moskowitz xli. 271 In every spot in this State where by our past policy we have permitted private development, nobody has benefited but the individuals who have been lucky enough to secure the rights. 1961 Dec. 531/1 Areas should..have room around the edges to protect the values of the area from encroachment by private developments. 1992 Oct. 1/3 In his ruling to end the only quarter-century federal ban on public and private development on Indian lands in the country, [etc.]. 2004 15 May 20/1 The project has Britain's first combined head and power (CHP) system in a private development—an on-site power plant which uses waste and solar energy to provide electricity and central heating for the site. the mind > attention and judgement > enquiry > investigation, inspection > secret observation, spying > procedures used in spying > [noun] > private detection > person engaged in 1912 A. H. Lewis vi. 128 But w'at wit' th' stores full of private dicks a booster can't do much. 1946 E. O'Neill i. 14 Yuh remember dey used to send down a private dick to give him the rush to a cure, but de lawyer tells Harry nix, de old lady's off of Willie for keeps dis time and he can go to hell. 1974 ‘E. McBain’ ii. 14 Bert, on the money I make, I can't afford a private dick. 2002 July 85/1 Exeter-based Carole-Anne Westcott hired a private dick to track down her runaway husband. society > society and the community > kinship or relationship > kinship group > family > [noun] > family or household 1598 R. Barckley iv. 305 Vngodlines troubleth the Church, Iniustice the common wealth, Luxuriousnes priuate families. 1662 Duchess of Newcastle Religious v. xxxviii, in 555 Indeed happiness lives more in Cloysters than in Courts, or Cities, or private families. 1751 E. Haywood I. ii. 20 Never did the mistress of a private family indulge herself, and those about her, with such a continual round of publick diversions. 1849 T. B. Macaulay (1871) I. iii. 144 By the Petition of Right, it had been declared unlawful to quarter soldiers on private families. 1947 A. B. Meering 1 The Nursery nurse who prefers the care of individual children..may become a nanny in a private family. 2004 25 Jan. d7/1 Several churches, private families, individuals, businesses and service organizations. 1989 22 May 423 The Government will keep up the momentum of the private finance initiative. 2002 20 Sept. (London ed.) 4/4 Gordon Brown..said it would be ‘completely unacceptable’ to suspend the Private Finance Initiative, arguing it would deny the public the services they needed. society > leisure > social event > social gathering > party > [noun] > other parties 1888 3 Dec. 9/5 They held a sort of private function. 1948 17 Oct. 9/3 An opportunity may be made to hear him [sc. Paul Robeson] at a private function. 1995 K. Ishiguro viii. 98 If no one had encouraged him, I'm sure he'd have been happy to melt into the background, give the odd recital at a private function, nothing more. 1724 2 The said Commissioners..shall ascertain and appoint the publick and private Highways and Roads already made, or to be made..under their Hands and Seals. 1894 21 Dec. 8/2 He argued, that their erection would convert a public highway into a private highway for the exclusive use of the railway company. 1950 22 July 3/5 [He] made a left turn into a private highway and was sideswiped by the car following. 2004 R. H. Buckman vi. 85 I do not understand why any company would try to create its own network in today's electronic world, any more than it would try to build a private highway to truck parts from one plant to another. the world > health and disease > healing > places for the sick or injured > [noun] > hospital or infirmary > other types of hospital 1763 J. Bell II. 106 The missionaries also send out people to take up such [children] as have been neglected, who are carried to a private hospital, maintained at their charge. 1827 14 June 2/2 As a general system, he..preferred public asylums to private hospitals, for lunatic paupers. 1903 17 183 Veronal has been thoroughly tested in a large number of noted public and private hospitals. 1990 16 Jan. 9/6 Maani Madhava Chakyar died at a private hospital in Ottapalam near here on Monday. society > inhabiting and dwelling > inhabited place > dwelling place or abode > accommodation or lodging > public lodging-places > [noun] > boarding house 1796 22 June 1/2 (advt.) J. Morris..fitted up the same in the first stile of elegance, as a private hotel for families and gentlemen. 1820 M. Edgeworth Let. 14 Nov. in (1979) 274 The Duchesse d'Uzès..has the finest private hotel in Paris. 1936 N. Coward Fumed Oak i, in II. 41 Mrs. Rockett: I can always go to a boarding-house or a private hotel. Doris: Catch you! 1962 F. J. Bull & C. Richardson (rev. ed.) iii. 37 The private hotel proprietor reserves to himself the right to pick and choose his guests, and does not hold himself out as willing to receive anyone who calls. He makes a separate contract, either written or verbal, with his guests. 1992 M. Warner (BNC) 130 Madame Davenant kept a clean and respectable and quiet private hotel, which is why it had been chosen for Miranda and why she liked it. society > trade and finance > management of money > income, revenue, or profit > [noun] > personal income or acquired wealth 1725 L. Echard ii. i. 117 By sparing her private Income as to her self, she became eminent in her Charities. 1788 in xx. 122 His revenue, exclusive of his private income, amounts to 300,000 florins. 1897 2 July 3/3 His wife will make him a small allowance from her private income. 1952 M. Laski iii. 65 Because she's got a private income no one ever expected her to go out and take a job. 1991 P. Barker iv. 31 I've no private income to tide me over. the mind > attention and judgement > enquiry > investigation, inspection > secret observation, spying > procedures used in spying > [noun] > private detection 1850 27 July 410/1 Sergeant Fendall, a light-haired, well-spoken, polite person, is a prodigious hand at pursuing private inquiries of a delicate nature.] 1856 2 Feb. 70/3 The design was conceived of establishing a private inquiry office with a view of ‘preventing and detecting crime’. 1874 M. Clarke iii. xxii. 331 I dabbled a little in the Private Inquiry line of business. 1892 R. Kipling & W. Balestier xvii. 204 See here, young woman, do you run a private inquiry agency? 1922 1181/3 Ramage & Kelly private inquiry agents. 1987 D. Lindsay 185 The police were out of the question, and private inquiry agents were not much better. society > law > branch of the law > [noun] > private law 1834 J. Story i. 9 The jurisprudence, then, arising from the conflict of the laws of different nations, in their actual application to modern commerce and intercourse, is a most interesting and important branch of public law... This branch of public law may be fitly denominated private international law, since it is chiefly seen and felt in its application to the common business of private persons. 1861 R. Phillimore IV. p. iii This volume is devoted to the consideration of Jus Gentium—Private International Law, or Comity: that is, strictly speaking, the law which ought to govern the legal relations of individuals not being the subject of the State which administers the law. 1938 G. C. Cheshire (ed. 2) i. 22 The expression ‘Private International Law’, coined by Story in 1834,..and used on the Continent by Foelix in 1838,..has been adopted by Westlake and Foote and most French authors. The chief criticism directed against its use is its implication that the subject forms a branch of International Law. There is, of course, no affinity between Private and Public International Law. The latter comprises those universally accepted customs which are recognized by States in their public relations with each other; the former consists of rules which the Courts of each territorial jurisdiction follow when a dispute containing some foreign element arises between private persons. 1992 J. M. Kelly viii. 346 Mancini's theory had no large-scale success: except within the more modest area of private international law. the mind > attention and judgement > enquiry > investigation, inspection > secret observation, spying > procedures used in spying > [noun] > private detection > person engaged in 1874 W. G. Sumner i. 75 The banks were as recalcitrant about giving statistics, either to the Secretary of the Treasury or private investigators, as about any of their other duties. 1885 1 May A communication..by the State Veterinary Surgeon... ‘I went to Fulton as a private investigator nearly three weeks ago.’] 1894 28 Dec. 1/2 (advt.) Eugene Harvey.—Private Investigator. Missing friends found, private inquiries, secret watchings. 1909 86 375 Also Mrs. Eva Herndon, a private investigator for the United States postal authorities, who testified, in substance, that she had a talk with Mrs. Hagenow at her home on January 22, 1907. 1940 R. Chandler iii. 21 Philip Marlowe, Private Investigator. One of those guys, huh? 1995 Aug. 48/1 McDonalds sent private investigators to London Greenpeace meetings to sniff out individuals to press charges against. the mind > emotion > pleasure > laughter > causing laughter > [noun] > jest or pleasantry > a jest or joke > other types of jest or joke 1789 29 Oct. 2/1 The serious business of the piece is too often disgraced, and the ‘cunning of the Scene’ destroyed by their unmeaning merriment and private jokes. 1875 June 105/1 He was not wanting in a fund of wholesome playfulness, and enjoyed his private jokes with each horse, cow, and hen. 1905 Baroness Orczy ii. 11 The two little kitchen-maids bustled around..giggling over some private jokes of their own, whenever Miss Sally's back was turned for a moment. 1995 N. Hornby (1996) iv. 57 I'd want her to write songs at home, and ask me what I thought of them, and maybe include one of our private jokes in the lyrics. society > faith > aspects of faith > free thought > [noun] the mind > mental capacity > belief > school of thought > [noun] > individual belief the mind > mental capacity > belief > expressed belief, opinion > personal opinion > [noun] 1565 T. Stapleton f. 6 He interpreteth it after his owne liking and priuat iudgement. 1656 T. Blount (ed. 2) 11 The more learned have avoided this kinde of flourish, lest their writings should savour more of the general humor, then of private judgement. 1718 T. Herne (title) Defense of private judgment. 1841 T. Carlyle iv. 201 Liberty of private judgment, if we will consider it, must at all times have existed in the world. 1959 P. Devlin 9 Are morals always a matter for private judgement? 2002 64 692 The great danger comes in turning all religious questions over to the private judgment of individuals. society > trade and finance > merchandise > article(s) to be sold > [adjective] > own brand or label 1923 19 Jan. 7/5 No third-rate private label goods are sold at our stores. 1961 11 Mar. 984/1 There are the usual ‘private-label’ teas, flour, butter, and dried cereals, fruit and pulses; besides these, private label jams and biscuits are quite common and several companies market their own canned peas, soups, canned fruit and canned vegetables; there is even a private-label pine essence. 1995 14 June i. 17/5 Private label goods are sold by retailers as alternatives to branded products. society > law > branch of the law > [noun] > private law a1638 R. Brownlow (1651) 325 Walmesley..sayd, that it was in vain to dispute if the statute of 22 Ed. 4. was private Law, or if it were repealed. 1702 G. Mackenzie 6 The third Branch, viz. that of Privat Law, cannt [sic] afford the least obstruction. 1773 J. Erskine I. i. 9 Public law is that which hath more immediately in view the public weal... Private is that which is chiefly intended for ascertaining the civil rights of individuals. The private law of Scotland is to be the proper subject of this treatise. 1887 8 127 Thus the difference between the two cases is the whole difference between private law and public, between Torts and Crimes. 1923 W. J. Byrne 519/2 Private or civil law deals with those relations between individuals with which the State is not directly concerned; as in the relations between husband and wife, parent and child,..contracts, torts, trusts, legacies. 1951 W. H. Jennings i. 6 Private law includes law that is concerned with the regulation of relations between private citizens. 1997 D. P. Kommers (ed. 2) viii. 363 Every provision of private law must be compatible with this system of values, and every such provision must be interpreted in its spirit. society > society and the community > social relations > lack of social communication or relations > [noun] > freedom from public attention or intrusion > private life ?a1475 (?a1425) tr. R. Higden (Harl. 2261) (1872) IV. 419 (MED) Galba Seruius..reigned after Nero vij monethes; The priuate lyfe [Trev. prive lyf; L. vita privata] of whom was noble. 1526 R. Whitford tr. f. cxxxiv He resygned his crowne, & lyued a holy pryuate lyfe. 1660 G. Mackenzie ii. 205 They see the poverty of a private life, but are strangers to its contentment, and contemns its lownesse without weighing its security. ?1790 J. M. Adair v. 173 I think planters are much too remiss on this head; owing to their not employing a little attention to the private life and manners of their slaves. 1843 C. Dickens (1844) xvi. 193 A full account of the Ball..with the Sewer's own particulars of the private lives of all the ladies that was there! 1943 J. B. Priestley xxii. 169 Her own private life, now in ruins, insisted upon claiming her attention, and she could not pretend to herself that it was less important than the private lives of all the other women in the factory. 1992 27 Jan. 20/2 A sense of honour and a degree of self-mastery in private life are virtues in public men and women. society > communication > telecommunication > telegraphy or telephony > telephony > [noun] > line > types of society > communication > telecommunication > telegraphy or telephony > telephony > telephone equipment > [noun] > exchange > exchange equipment 1852Private lines [see sense A. 8a]. 1885 (United Telephone Co.) (ed. 6) p. vii The Charge for Private Lines is at a fixed annual rental, payable in advance, varying with the situation and the distance apart of the points connected. 1927 C. W. Wilman vi. 55 This wire is comparable with the test wire in a manual system inasmuch as it indicates whether a particular line is free or busy... It is..known as the private line (because it prevents intrusion on a busy trunk). 1942 A. Christie vi. 59 I had a private line put in connecting my bedroom with my office. 1993 Dec. 189/1 Dial-up routers let users connect LANs over the wide area using switched services instead of costly private lines. society > armed hostility > warrior > soldier > common soldier > [noun] 1651 No. 53. 848 This Henry..was little less than a Bastard..; he was also a private man; and not onely so, but an Exile. 1690 J. Mackenzie 47/2 Serjeants, Corporals, Drummers, and private Men 2d. per diem each, besides bread. 1796 S. Pegge (1809) 164 Application..on behalf of a private man that had deserted from an independent company just as they were embarking for North America. 1844 176 All the Officers, Non-commissioned Officers, Drummers, and Private Men, who may be at Home, are to be accounted for. 1974 L. E. Ivers vi. 79 There were six companies, each of which included a captain, lieutenant, ensign, four sergeants, four corporals, two drummers, and one hundred private men who enlisted for seven years. society > travel > travel by water > vessel, ship, or boat > privateer or pirate ship > [noun] > privateer 1646 (Adm. Libr.) 22 Instruccions and a fiat in the usuall form were this day signed for Capt. Wm. Davies employing of the ship the 3 kings of dover being of 250 tons and 17 guns as a private man of warre in her way of merchandize. 1675 G. Carew 7 The Zelanders are a people, that upon all occations, serves for private men of warr against England. 1754 J. Lodge I. 391 Kid had a Commission from the Admiralty, as a private Man of War. 1857 (U.S. Dept. of State) IV. 83 There are only three circumstances when a foreign ship can be made French: they are, 1st. When a prize on the enemy by state ships, or private men-of-war [etc.] 1985 42 361 Ideally, the time at sea for each private man-of-war should be determined, but though colonial newspapers reported hundreds of captures, they did not usually state the length of time the cruisers had been on the hunt. society > trade and finance > financial dealings > types of money-dealing > [noun] > investment > money invested > income derived from 1805 20 Mar. 2/2 Mr. Fordyce had brought his salary, and other personal private means, to the public account. 1855 W. Sargent 166 To be reminded that such things as a Press of private means for the benefit of the State still existed. 1994 L. Gordon (1995) i. 14 Mr Brontë's failures to secure another wife with private means..had practical consequences for his five daughters. society > travel > transport > transport or conveyance in a vehicle > [noun] > by motor vehicle > privately owned 1916 28 June 12/3 It could not be said that the object of the new regulations was either to curtail private motoring or to raise revenue. 1992 B. Elton (BNC) 182 When that happens it's going to revolutionize private motoring. society > travel > transport > transport or conveyance in a vehicle > driving or operating a vehicle > driver or operator of vehicle > [noun] > driver of motor vehicle > of privately-owned vehicle 1907 8 Aug. 13/2 The private motorist has concluded..that France and Germany would, as hitherto, take the lead in initiating any scientific or technical advance when the progress of the industry required it. 1993 24 June 31/4 It could also be accessed by private motorists via in-car units. society > authority > rule or government > ruler or governor > deliberative, legislative, or administrative assembly > governing or legislative body of a nation or community > procedure of parliament or national assembly > [noun] > question put to minister > type of 1871 27 Feb. 941 I wish to ask some questions of the Prime Minister, of which circumstances prevented me from giving any other than a private Notice to him.] 1913 21 Jan. 225 Private notice question... May I ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer a question of which I have given him private notice. 1964 L. A. Abraham & S. C. Hawtrey (ed. 2) 168 On specially urgent matters, ‘private notice questions’ may be asked after the end of the time allotted by the standing orders to questions for oral answer. A member who wishes to avail himself of this privilege must give notice of the terms of his question to the minister and to the Speaker not later than twelve o'clock on the day on which he is to ask it. 2001 R. Holt (2002) iii. 88 On his first day in the new job and with a hostile private notice question to deal with (from Michael Foot), Jenkins insouciantly took himself off on a lunchtime engagement. 1657 W. Style 207 An Action upon the Case ought to be brought against one that makes a private Nusance. 1799 7 Feb. If those Gentlemen..thought fit to proceed to indict for a private nuisance, the Defendant was ready to meet them. 1865 3 380 Courts of equity will exercise a concurrent jurisdiction with courts of law in cases of private nuisance. 1956 26 Apr. 866/1 Excessive and disagreeable noise may constitute a private nuisance. 2013 M. Wilde in P. Bishop & M. Stallworthy iii. 32 Lord Jersey was moved to commence an action in private nuisance. 1913 28 Nov. 6/1 From my office the operator was instructed to call my private number in the West-end. 1933 D. L. Sayers viii. 129 He was not in the telephone-book, but his private number would doubtless be on the telephone-clerk's desk. 1969 N. Freeling xiii. 95 Good morning. Police Judiciaire!.. I'm at a private number in Marseilles; will you..clear me a direct line. 1992 J. Mansell (BNC) She would ring Julius at home, with messages that were only just important enough for her to justify ringing his private number. the world > life > the body > sex organs > [noun] 1623 G. Markham i. 35 (margin) The diseases of the priuate parts. 1723 (ed. 8) 159 Tying a string about my neck, and the other end to my private parts. 1785 F. Grose at Commodity A woman's commodity; the private parts of a modest woman, and the public parts of a prostitute. 1888 P. H. Pye-Smith (ed. 2) I. 188 She mentioned..that she had severe pain in micturition, and that her private parts were swollen. a1930 D. H. Lawrence (1932) 157 The reddened limbs..and the half-hidden private parts. 1971 23 Feb. 30/1 Major Ogilvie recalls some mothers feeling embarrassed at having to see the ‘private parts’ of an animal's body—like teats and udders—being handled by a man. 1992 S. Armitage 70 And his shoulder-blades were two butchers at the meat-cleaving competition and his belly-button was the Falkland Islands and his private parts were the Bermuda triangle and his backside was a priest hole. the world > health and disease > healing > patient > [noun] > others 1754Private patient [see sense A. 2b(b)]. 1801 5 7 Those to whom I have communicated the infection out of the Hospital, or among my private patients. 1859 F. Nightingale vi. 39 Generally, the only rule of the private patient's diet is what the nurse has to give. 1914 A. Bennett xii. 256 In those days of State health insurance all doctors were too busy..to be of assistance to private patients. 1992 Aug. 428/3 You may sometimes be better off in an NHS hospital, whether as an NHS patient or a private patient in a pay-bed. 1925 28 Mar. 21/3 (heading) Kuhn, Loeb & Co..takes $4,735,000 railroad bonds for private placement. 1939 2 Nov. 33/3 From the short term this appears to give borrowers a great advantage in the private placement market, an advantage which they could never find in direct sales to the public. 1951 24 Jan. 6/7 South Africa had also arranged for the private placement with eight American commercial banks of $10m. of the Union's promissory notes. 2000 May 192/2 We haven't made any decision yet as to whether we'll go public; we've just made a desicion to issue a private placement. society > leisure > the arts > performance arts > the theatre or the stage > a theatre > [noun] > other types of theatre 1609 T. Dekker vi. 28 Whether therefore the gatherers of the publique or priuate Play-house stand to receiue the afternoones rent, let our Gallant (hauing paid it) presently aduance himselfe vp to the Throne of the Stage. 1795 M. Concanen & A. Morgan 200 Yet it should seem that persons were suffered to sit on the stage only in the private playhouses (such as Blackfriars &c.) where the audience was more select and of a higher class. 1829 J. H. Reynolds i. ii. 18 I seek in vain for elegant recreation; no private play-houses, no debating society. 1910 30 Aug. 2/7 Recently D'Annunzio gave a performance at the private playhouse of a friend of his in Paris. 1998 S. David (2000) v. 132 He spent more than £60,000 on a private playhouse in which he would indulge his passion for drama. society > occupation and work > work > [noun] > other types of work society > occupation and work > business affairs > a business or company > [noun] > other types of company 1724 (Royal Soc.) 32 213 The..Regard for the Good of Mankind, which you have always manifested, as well in your extensive private Practice as in that publick Post, which you have so long and so usefully fill'd, must affect you [etc.]. 1843 R. J. Graves ix. 99 In private practice the physician is called at an early period of the disease. 1945 Mar. 109/2 Tommy Corcoran, no longer part of the janissariat, is back in the law, with a private practice in Washington. 1967 113 1052/2 Private practice is simply a method of making a lucrative racket out of pampering or swindling those who can afford to pay. 2000 18 Feb. 26/4 (advt.) Dynamic private practice with an established list of blue-chip clients requires proactive and driven professionals. society > communication > printing > printing trade > [noun] > printing establishment > private 1643 in D. Neal (1855) 456/2 The Company of Stationers and the Committee of Examinations are required to make strict inquiry after private presses, and to search all suspected shops and warehouses for unlicensed books and pamphlets. 1687 A. Behn iv. i. 47 Then he keeps a private Press and prints your Amsterdam and Leyden Libels. 1834 J. Martin p. v The second portion of the work, consisting of an account of the publications from literary clubs, and private presses. 1900 1 407 Since the days when Horace Walpole started as a master-printer at Strawberry Hill quite a number of book-lovers have amused themselves with the management, and occasionally with the actual working, of a private press. 1993 (BNC) 65/2 He published on American history and established his own private press, the Guyon House Press. the mind > possession > possessions > [noun] > private property 1642 J. M. 40 It must be agreed that the State hath an interest Paramount in every mans private property. 1760 C. Lennox No. 7. 527 All matters of importance, or relative to private property, were to be laid before him. 1868 M. Pattison §1. 7 A great deal of foolish bluster was talked about interference with private property. 1997 1 Feb. 57/1 If..the government decided to put a camp-ground on part of the private property, the group would first have to agree and then buy back the grazing rights from Mr Bass. society > inhabiting and dwelling > inhabited place > dwelling place or abode > a dwelling > a house > types of house > [noun] > house of private individual 1723 65 He pitch'd upon the place for his Retreat, or private Residence. 1797 A. Radcliffe II. vii. 234 She hoped, therefore, that he had only been sent to some private residence belonging to his family. 1836 C. Dickens (1837) xxi. 222 At length, late one night, Heyling..appeared at his attorney's private residence, and sent up word that a gentleman wished to see him instantly. 1974 P. Lovesey iii. 34 ‘There was a second explosion..at Sir Watkin Wynn's residence.’ ‘A private residence? What have they got against Sir Watkin Wynn?’ 1998 L. Forbes (1999) 76 The family has to slum it on the top floor, but even so it's still the tenth largest private residence in the world. society > travel > means of travel > route or way > way, path, or track > road > [noun] > for wheeled vehicles > leading to a house 1652 G. Fidge vii. sig. A6 Hind having gotten a good purchase in Gold past away the day very merrily, & towards night rides to an Inne which stood in a private Roade. 1775 21 Apr. Coming to a drawbridge..he desired that it might be immediately let down; but they refused; saying it was a private road, and that he had no authority to demand passage that way. 1838 R. S. Surtees 55 A private road and a line of gates through fields now greet the eyes of our M'Adamisers. 1903 16 Mar. 4/2 The club decided to make an effort to obtain before next winter a private road, instead of using, as heretofore, the public road to Klosters. 2001 J. O'Brien xiii. 204 At the end of the hardtop, I take a short trail to the private road that curves down to the telescopes. society > inhabiting and dwelling > inhabited place > a building > parts of building > room > types of room generally > [noun] > private or inner room > in a club or hotel 1797 T. Holcroft V. xi. 186 The place of meeting was a private room in a coffee-house. 1824 W. Scott III. vii. 197 Walking into the inn, [he] demanded from the landlord breakfast and a private room. 1878 21 Nov. 6/5 The ‘No. 8’ block, on the west of the hospital,..had the means of providing for upwards of 60 paying patients in wards and private rooms. 1920 ‘Sapper’ 7 Have we ever had staying in the hotel a man called le Comte de Guy?.. Has he ever fed here, or taken a private room? 1994 R. Preston Ebola River 87 At the Ngaliema Hospital in Kinshasa, Nurse Mayinga had been put into a private room, which was accessible through a kind of entry room, a gray zone, where the nurses and staff were supposed to put on bioprotective gear before they entered. 1995 16 Feb. i. 10/7 Karaoke parlours..comprise a warren of private rooms in which customers sing to the words of tunes played on television screens. society > education > place of education > school > [noun] > private school 15741Priuate schoole [see sense A. 2b(a)]. 1676 II. 5 Nov. Considereing how much the public schoole at the church is prejudged by privat schooles. 1751 Mem. Lady of Quality in T. Smollett III. lxxxviii. 66 I was the only child of a man..who indulged me..with..paternal affection; and when I was six years old, sent me to a private school, where I stayed till my age was doubled. 1857 T. Hughes i. iii. 67 A private school, where he went when he was nine years old. 1914 C. Mackenzie II. iii. iii. 547 I don't think it is snobbishness... It's a throw back to primitive life in a private school. 1997 29 June 24/1 Everdell..is dean of humanities at St. Ann's, a private school in Brooklyn, where he has taught history for 25 years. 1588 W. Kempe sig. E4v Some heere do counsell the Father to seeke out a priuat Schoolemaister for his child. a1691 R. Baxter (1696) 96 A Man of great sincerity and zeal, and desire to do good, and devotedness to God,..falling into the Life of a private Schoolmaster. 1857 T. Hughes i. iii. 69 Were I a private schoolmaster. 1930 E. Waugh viii. 143 My private schoolmaster used to say, ‘If a thing's worth doing at all, it's worth doing well.’ 1988 R. Symonds (BNC) 102 He remained in Wales as a private schoolmaster until he became chaplain and tutor to the family of Lord Carbery. society > communication > indication > marking > imprinting > sealing > [noun] > seal > official or sovereign 1440 Ser. C1 File 9 No. 447 (MED) William Gargrave of Holme and Cristofere Banastre of Merton, Esquiers, haue ben ij tymes send for by the kyngis priuat seel at the Instaunce and costages of your said suppliaunt. 1531 in I. S. Leadam (1898) 33 To graunte vnto your seid Orator your most dredd wrytte of pryuatte seale to be dyrected vnto the seid abbot. society > occupation and work > worker > workers according to type of work > non-manual worker > [noun] > clerical > secretarial > specific 1677 S. Pepys 76 Gaspar de Faria, private Secretary, by order of the King, put into his hands oftentimes papers of greatest Concerns. 1773 R. Jephson Let. 2 Mar. in D. Garrick (1831) I. 530 Our friend Tighe is much engaged in his office of Private Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant, but is getting better health and more strength every day. 1891 W. Fraser (ed. 2) 42 Mr Algernon Greville became, some years afterwards, Private Secretary to the Duke. 1930 J. B. Priestley v. 207 I can't bear those private secretary jobs. Yours is one of them, isn't it? 1991 Jan. 7/1 He became private (i.e. political) secretary to two government ministers in the Home Office. society > occupation and work > position or job > [noun] > position or office of specific workers 1789 II. xx. 116 The peace-offering..was no less than an appointment to a private secretaryship. 1812 16 Apr. 2/3 This private secretaryship, with the salary annexed, is an after-device. 1880 E. W. Hamilton 25 Apr. (1972) I. 3 Horace Seymour and Henry Primrose are the two between whom the other private secretaryship lies. 1954 K. Amis iv. 48 Our influencial friend will shortly be declaring his private secretaryship vacant. 1981 25 Mar. 14/1 The interconnection of junior ministers and parliamentary private secretaryships is striking. society > occupation and work > business affairs > [noun] > free from direct state control 1930 H. J. Stenning tr. A. Feiler 89 In this sphere the programme contemplates a determined onslaught on the private sector for the benefit of the socialized, the nationalized, or the co-operative sector. 1996 28 Aug. 36/1 This year's Olympics taught the Americans that there's a flip side to relying solely on the private sector. society > authority > subjection > service > [noun] > domestic a1652 R. Brome Eng. Moor iii. i. 39 in (1659) And though I outwardly appear your Drudge, 'Tis fit I have a Maid for private service. 1718 R. Samber tr. C. Ancillon i. i. 7 He might have none to attend him in his private Service but Eunuchs. 1843 C. Dickens (1844) vii. 85 All them trades I thought of was a deal too jolly; there was no credit at all to be got in any of 'em. I must look for a private service... I might be brought out strong..in a serious family. 1934 D. L. Sayers 139 Deacon was a waiter in some club... He wanted to try private service. 1978 M. Ward & N. Ward 38/1 There was..an inexorable reduction in the number of people engaged in private service. 1702 tr. P. de la Court ii. i. 207 Private Ships of War [were] by great Rewards perswaded to take and destroy the Enemys Ships. 1804 3 May 3/3 Those beautiful private ships of war the Sir Thomas Trowbridge, of 16 guns, and the Sir John Colpays, of 14 guns..have been surveyed by the proper officers. 1988 P. O'Brian i. 7 Stephen Maturin had bought her as a private ship of war, a letter of marque, to cruise upon the enemy. society > armed hostility > warrior > soldier > common soldier > [noun] 1566 W. Painter tr. O. Landi iii. f. 68 He knewe well that by his natiuitie, he was appointed to be generall of armies, and not a simple souldior: wherfore he behaued him selfe according to the Maiestie of that office, and not like a priuate souldior. 1579 L. Digges & T. Digges 152 They can doe no more than Privat Souldiors. 1698 I. 192 Pretending..to keep the private soldiers, for they would no longer be called common soldiers, from running into greater extravagancies and disorders. 1760 C. Johnstone II. iv. 177 A man, in the habit of a private soldier, threw himself prostrate across his way, crying, ‘Mercy! O great king! have mercy on the sufferings of a wretch in despair, and shew yourself the substitute of heaven by impartial justice.’ 1898 E. J. Hardy in Mar. 646 Another expression, which is far more objectionable [than the name ‘Tommy Atkins’], is to speak of a ‘common soldier’ instead of a private soldier. 1992 G. M. Fraser p. xiv I must emphasise that at private soldier level you frequently have no idea where you are, or precisely how you got there, let alone why. society > trade and finance > [noun] > private trading or trade 1601 J. Wheeler 46 Diuers of the Company had..erected vnto themselues a priuate, irregular, and stragling Trade.] 1612 J. Smith 50 There was ten-times more care, to maintaine their damnable and private trade, then to provide for the Colony things that were necessary. 1736 H. Fielding iv. i. 51 But Priests, and Lawyers, and Physicians made These general Goods to each a private Trade. 1821 G. Simpson Jrnl. 8 Jan. in (1938) I. 212 Chastellan & Lamallice..are renewing their old practice of carrying on Private Trade with the Indians. 1991 C. Anderson p. i The so-called ‘private’ companies—those companies in the hands of private trade as opposed to the farmer-owned wheat pools. society > trade and finance > trader > [noun] > not in service of a company 1616 in W. Foster (1901) V. 119 With the intelligence concerning the private traders of Captain Downton's merchants. 1784 A. Smith (ed. 3) III. v. iii. 133 The competition of the two companies with the private traders..is said to have well nigh ruined both. 1830 J. F. Cooper I. xi. 203 Prudence is a cardinal quality, in a private trader; and it is a quality that I esteem in Master Skimmer, next to his punctuality. 1991 Aug. 95/4 From time to time the government tries to take the video-business in hand but it cannot compete against private traders. society > trade and finance > [noun] > private trading or trade 1640 H. Mill xlvii. 233 She keeps her private trading, To help at need; her husbands trade is fading. 1739 Ld. Hardwicke in (1765) I. xci. 546 For the benefit of the Captain, who staid there six days merely for the sake of private trading. a1894 R. L. Stevenson (1896) iv. vii. 369 Tembinok' had two brothers. One, detected in private trading, was banished. 1929 26 Feb. 17/5 He courageously scrapped his own Bolshevist economic theories in 1921 and reinaugurated private trading. 1990 11 Oct. 25/3 (advt.) Private trading through Grain Pool Permits is possible for domestic consumption. society > trade and finance > selling > a public sale > [noun] > other types of sale 1858 16 Aug. 16/1 (advt.) To be sold, by private treaty, a substantial and well-built house. 1922 V. Sackville-West i. 19 Are we to try for auction or private treaty? Personally I think the house at any rate will go by private treaty. 1973 P. Westland & A. Rodway i. 11/2 In Scotland..houses are more often sold ‘by private treaty’. This way, the owner places a reserve, or ‘upset’ price on the property and invites those interested to make offers, in writing, by a specified date. On that date, the offers are examined, and the property will usually go to the highest bidder. An offer made this way is binding by law, unless you withdraw it before it is formally accepted... Some properties in England and Wales are offered for sale on these terms. 1988 May 51/1 Ask the auctioneer if offers will be considered prior to auction, in other words, whether you can purchase by private treaty. society > communication > manifestation > showing to the sight > exposure to public view > an exhibition > [noun] > private or press view 1706 T. D'Urfey iii. 43 Ambassador from the Kingdom of the Birds; who, thro' Curiosity desiring a private View of you, and being gratify'd, has strangely accus'd ye of Murder upon one of the Brothers of Plumply Lord Pheasant. 1746 29 Dec. (advt.) If any Gentlemen or Ladies, hath a Mind to have a private View of the same, they may, by giving two Hours Warning before hand. 1862 W. Sandby II. 240 The art-critics for the newspapers, etc., were admitted to the private view of the exhibition. 1996 14 Oct. i. 3/4 He is seen in the film coaching staff for the private view of the William Morris exhibition. 1897 28 Apr. 6/6 The galleries..soon to be refilled by the critics, the private viewers, and the outside crowd. 1997 (Nexis) 19 Mar. 5 We aren't interested in private viewers who have a couple of pirates in their collection. We want to catch the big fish. society > communication > manifestation > showing to the sight > exposure to public view > an exhibition > [noun] > private or press view 1850 19 88/2 As to the privilege of private views [of the Exhibition], the whole thing is a farce when compared with the privilege of private viewing claimed..by our young friends. 1898 28 Apr. 5/3 On the whole the private viewing ladies have had the excellent taste of coming in the morning in morning dress. 1965 28 Feb. 2/6 The occasion was the private viewing of the most important show of the New York art season. 2000 G. Fyfe iv. 82 With its rituals of dining and private viewing, the ra and its Exhibition translated the status struggles of Victorian Society into the hierarchies of art. society > armed hostility > war > types of war > [noun] > other types of war 1548 f. lvii He more detested & abhorred intestine and priuate warre, then death or any thynge more terrible. a1599 E. Spenser View State Ireland 197 in J. Ware (1633) The English Lords and Gentlemen, who then had great possessions in Ireland, began thorough pride and insolency, to make private warres one against another. 1728 E. Chambers at Treve de Dieu The Disorders and Licences of private Wars..oblig'd the Bishops of France to forbid such Violences within certain Times. 1866 C. M. Yonge I. p. vi An offended nobleman, having sent a Fehdebrief to his adversary, was thenceforward at liberty to revenge himself by a private war. 1974 ‘G. Black’ xi. 194 A killing that was one incident in the continuing private war the Russians and the Chinese have been waging against each other. 1987 ‘J. Gash’ (1988) vii. 76 I don't believe that you..suddenly decide to recruit him in your private war with a load of moonspenders. a1832 W. Scott Surgeon's Daughter vii, in (1855) 498 Symptoms are dubious yet... That was an alarming swoon. You must have him carried into the private ward. 1935 D. L. Sayers ix. 191 He's in a private ward, so you can get in any time. 1960 C. Watson i. 15 He lay in a small private ward of Chalmsbury General Hospital. 1991 J. Spottiswoode (BNC) 73 He had apparently been..so disturbing the other patients that he had been moved, temporarily, to a private ward. 1852Private wires [see sense A. 8b]. 1878 6 51/1 The regulations concerning the despatch and receipt of telegrams, the tariffs for the same, and for the renting of private wires. 1940 16 Feb. p. ii/1 Taking the final proof of his commentary on the foreign news of the day to the ‘private wire’ room, to be telegraphed or telephoned to Manchester. 1969 S. F. Smith vi. 153 A third wire is therefore provided on all connexions through the exchange, the potential of which indicates the condition of the circuit. This avoids intrusion on calls in progress and is called the private wire, usually abbreviated to ‘P-wire’. 1998 Nov. 29/1 A further benefit is that a private wire system can be set up in such a way as [sic] a company's mobile phones effectively behave like extensions of the office switchboard. society > society and the community > social relations > lack of social communication or relations > retirement or seclusion > [noun] > one's private sphere of thought or action 1873 T. Hardy I. xi. 234 It was the first time that she had had an inner and private world apart from the visible one about her. 1921 A. Huxley xiii. 128 He determined to retire absolutely from it [sc. the great world] and to create..at Crome a private world of his own. 1989 G. Daly vi. 250 Ned retreated into a private world of his own making. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2007; most recently modified version published online June 2022). † privateadj.2Origin: A borrowing from Latin. Etymon: Latin prīvātus. Etymology: < classical Latin prīvātus deprived, past participle of prīvāre prive v. Compare private v.1, prive v. Obsolete. the mind > possession > loss > [adjective] > suffering loss > deprived ?a1425 tr. Guy de Chauliac (N.Y. Acad. Med.) f. 134 Hym beyng fastyng & conforthed, hole, al oþer passioun priuate [?c1425 Paris hole fro alle oþer passiouns; L. omni alia passione priuato], þe day fair at þe 3a. houre..þe tone eie ybounden, be he sette in a place wele clere. 1492 J. Ryman Poems xx, in (1892) 89 188 Of her crowne priuat she is. a1500 (c1477) T. Norton (BL Add.) (1975) 1522 (MED) Thiknes made derknes with priuacion of light; So colour is priuate, then blak it is to sight. 1509 A. Barclay (Pynson) f. iv Thou shewest by euydence Thy selfe of Rethoryke pryuate and barayne. a1542 T. Wyatt (1969) ccxxviii. 17 All worldely felicitye nowe am I pryvate, And left in deserte moste solitarilye. 1552 Abp. J. Hamilton Tabil sig. *.vv Quha ar priuate the communioun of sanctis. 1573 J. Tyrie f. 42 It is easier the sone to be priuat, and destitute of licht, nor the kirk to be ony wais obscurit. 1599 A. Hume sig. C1 Sodainely the Sun by day, is priuate of his light. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2007; most recently modified version published online December 2020). privatev.1 Origin: A borrowing from Latin. Etymons: Latin prīvātus, prīvāre. Etymology: < classical Latin prīvātus, past participle (see -ate suffix3) of prīvāre prive v. Compare private adj.2Attested earliest and chiefly as past participle (privated, etc.); the finite parts of the verb are later and rare. Now rare. the mind > possession > loss > taking away > take away [verb (transitive)] > deprive (of) the world > relative properties > wholeness > mutual relation of parts to whole > separation > separate [verb (transitive)] > separate from > cut off from c1425 (1923) 45 Both the shippe of her marchauntyse And they of ther lyif ar priuatid. a1492 W. Caxton tr. (1495) i. xlvii. f. lxxxix/1 We shall be pryuated fro her gracyous syghte corporall. a1533 Ld. Berners tr. A. de Guevara (1546) sig. Ii.ijv They wolde be pryuated fro the company of so noble barons. 1548 f. xljv Promisynge faythefully..that they would..be priuated of their lyues and worldely felicitee, rather then to suffre Kynge Richarde..to rule and reigne ouer them. 1578 J. Banister sig. Giii The whole body..should not be wholly privated, nor the passage for the Spinall marey marred. 1655 in M. V. Hay (1929) 172 I am sorye that F. Maxuels coming will priuat me shortlye of my consolation. 1999 C. Flanagan v. 56 There are numerous stories, throughout history, of children who have spent their early years privated of human company. Derivatives the mind > possession > loss > [adjective] > suffering loss > deprived 1656 S. Hunton 58 They hang not,..but reserve their Delinquents for useful service, private or publike, yet to give the privated satisfaction, which done, they return to themselves, and are their own men again. 1670 in J. Throsby (1792) xxvi. 374 Truly and faithfully collected out of the King's publique Records, the privated evidences of this familie, [etc.]. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2007; most recently modified version published online March 2022). privatev.2Origin: Apparently formed within English, by conversion. Etymon: private adj.1 Etymology: Apparently < private adj.1 society > society and the community > social relations > lack of social communication or relations > retirement or seclusion > seclude [verb (transitive)] > make or keep secluded 1581 R. Mulcaster xxxix. 188 Content to be pent vp within priuate dores, though it mislike the cloistring, in priuating the person. 1612 W. Parkes 12 Their vnlawfull and lustfull recreations must be priuated and couered with the Curtaine of Secresie. 1977 6 199 New differences in material wealth which would not be tolerated in the bush can be privated in houses. Derivatives 1960 E. Merriam 35 The public citizens of privated property Pat the dustwife on her mop. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2007; most recently modified version published online March 2022). † privatev.3 Origin: Formed within English, by conversion. Etymon: private n. Obsolete. 1884 15 Nov. 626/1 Between a league of this sort and an army privated by persons like the Three Witnesses, chaplained by Mr. Rogers, and officered by Mr. Wren, there ought to be a very pretty battle, which also may in its time figure in the Chamberlainiad. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2007; most recently modified version published online September 2019). <  adj.1adv.n.1395 adj.2?a1425 v.1c1425v.21581 v.31884 |
