private English · revision 3517

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=c. 1380 (Wycliffe)|origins=la prīvus}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈpraɪ.vət/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|enm|privat]], [[bor|la|prīvātus|t=set apart from public life, belonging to oneself]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(AHD 2000) originally the past participle of [[m|la|prīvāre|t=to deprive, release]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(SOED 2002) from [[m|la|prīvus|t=one's own, single, individual]].^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(AHD 2000) Etymonline traces ''prīvus'' to Proto-Italic [[m|itc-pro|*prei-wo-|t=separate, individual]] and [[ine-pro|*per-|t=forward]], with a shift from “being in front” to “being separate”.^(Etymonline) It is related to [[deprive]], [[privilege]], [[privation]] and [[privy]].^(Cresswell 2021)^(Hoad 1986)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Withdrawn or set apart from the public body, applied by Wycliffe to the religious orders: about 1380,^(OED 1989)^(Hoad 1986) or probably 1384.^(Barnhart 1988) Etymonline gives “belonging to oneself, not shared” from the late 14th century.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Etymonline notes that Old English had ''syndrig'' in this sense.^(Etymonline) Of persons, “not holding public office”, it is from the early 15th century,^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) and of a place, “not open to the public”, from the 15th century.^(Hoad 1986) Of communications, “secret, confidential”, it is from the 1550s,^(Etymonline) and ''in private'' from the 1580s.^(Etymonline) A ''private soldier'', one without rank, is from 1579,^(OED 1989) and the noun ''private'' in this military sense from 1781.^(Etymonline) Earlier the noun meant a private citizen, from the 1590s.^(Etymonline) A ''private school'', run by individuals for profit, is from the 1650s,^(Etymonline) ''private parts'' from 1785,^(Etymonline) and ''private detective'' from 1868.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 1380 – set apart (Wycliffe).^(OED 1989)

+ * early 15th century – not holding office.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1550s – confidential.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1579 – ''private soldier''.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1580s – ''in private''.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1650s – ''private school''.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1781 – noun, a private soldier.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1785 – ''private parts''.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1868 – ''private detective''.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Secluded from others; intended for one's own use.^(AHD)^(Etymonline)

+ # Of or belonging to an individual; personal.^(AHD)^(Etymonline)

+ # Not open to the public: ''a private club''.^(AHD)^(Hoad 1986)

+ # Not holding public office; not official.^(AHD)^(OED 1989)

+ # Secret, [[confidential]].^(AHD)^(Etymonline)

+ # Owned or run by individuals rather than the state: ''the private sector''.^(AHD)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ===Noun===

+ # A soldier of the lowest rank.^(AHD)^(Etymonline)

+ # ''(privates)'' The [[genitals]].^(AHD)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[privately]]

+ * [[privateness]]

+ * [[privateer]]

+ * [[privatise]]

+ * [[privatism]]

+ * [[privatize]]

+ * [[semiprivate]]

+ * [[unprivate]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[privacy]]

+ * [[deprive]]

+ * [[privilege]]

+ * [[privation]]

+ * [[privy]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}