privity

n.; pl. Privities [ From Privy, a.: cf. F. privauté extreme familiarity. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. Privacy; secrecy; confidence. Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

I will unto you, in privity, discover . . . my purpose. Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Private knowledge; joint knowledge with another of a private concern; cognizance implying consent or concurrence. [ 1913 Webster ]

All the doors were laid open for his departure, not without the privity of the Prince of Orange. Swift. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. A private matter or business; a secret. Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. pl. The genitals; the privates. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. (Law) A connection, or bond of union, between parties, as to some particular transaction; mutual or successive relationship to the same rights of property. [ 1913 Webster ]