privity

[ priv-i-tee ]

noun

, plural priv·i·ties.

1. private or secret knowledge.
2. participation in the knowledge of something private or secret, especially as implying concurrence or consent.
3. Law. the relation between privies.
4. Obsolete. privacy.

privity

/ ˈprɪvɪtɪ /

noun

1. a legally recognized relationship existing between two parties, such as that between lessor and lessee and between the parties to a contract

   privity of contract

   privity of estate

2. secret knowledge that is shared

Other Words From

• non·privi·ty noun plural nonprivities

Word History and Origins

Origin of privity¹

1175–1225; Middle English privete, privite < Old French. See privy, -ity

Word History and Origins

Origin of privity¹

C13: from Old French priveté

Example Sentences

The act requires an owner to show its actions did not cause the accident, or as 19th Century maritime law put it, that the owner lacked “privity or knowledge” of the incident.

From Reuters

"What is needed is a global rugby arbitration tribunal system, which clubs can refer disputes with contracts to. Not only could it cover both codes, but cover them in Australia, Britain, New Zealand, South Africa, France, Italy and others. "If they all sign up and all decisions are binding, that would promote enforceability and privity of contracts.

From BBC

Ms. Pallante replied that the rule “would seem to take a valuable good” and “deliver it to third parties who are not in privity with the copyright owners, but who may nevertheless exploit the content for profit.”

From Wall Street Journal

“The privity between a man and his wife cannot be known,” the judge ruled.

From New York Times

“My real crime is an amorous connection with his wife, for a considerable time with his privity and connivance, if not originally brought on by a combination between the husband and wife with the design to extort money from me.”

From Time