private

/ˈprī-vət/

Middle English privat, from Anglo-French, from Latin privatus, from past participle of privare to deprive, release, from privus private, individual; probably akin to Latin pro for, in front of

adjective

  1. intended for or restricted to the use of a particular person, group, or class

  2. belonging to or concerning an individual person, company, or interest

  3. carried on by the individual independently of the usual institutions; also : being educated by independent study or a tutor or in a private school

a private park

a private house

noun

  1. an enlisted person of the lowest rank in the marine corps or of one of the two lowest ranks in the army

  2. a person of low rank in any of various organizations (such as a police or fire department)

  3. private parts

noun

  1. private investigator