privet

[ priv-it ]

noun

1. any of various deciduous or evergreen shrubs of the genus Ligustrum, especially L. vulgare, having clusters of small white flowers and commonly grown as a hedge.

privet

/ ˈprɪvɪt /

noun

1. 1. any oleaceous shrub of the genus Ligustrum, esp L. vulgare or L. ovalifolium , having oval dark green leaves, white flowers, and purplish-black berries
   2. ( as modifier )

      a privet hedge

Word History and Origins

Origin of privet¹

First recorded in 1535–45; origin uncertain

Word History and Origins

Origin of privet¹

C16: of unknown origin

Example Sentences

Rather, it’s described as a participatory experience in which visitors start at the Dursley residence at 4 Privet Drive, travel to Hogwarts, master some spells, fend off a swarm of pixies, practice Quidditch skills, visit Hagrid’s pumpkin patch, enter the Forbidden Forest and more.

From Seattle Times

After half a century, the prison was abandoned and the land — apart from a police shooting range — was reclaimed by pines and privet, dewberry and muscadine vines.

From Los Angeles Times

The sites were relatively undisturbed by humans and didn’t have common invasive plants such as Chinese privet.

From Science Magazine

The sites were relatively undisturbed by humans and didn’t have common invasive plants such as Chinese privet.

From Science Magazine

One of the auction staff described how "the privet hedge was left bare of every leaf because the people who attended wanted to say to their friends they had something from the house".

From BBC