Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary - private

 I. adjective  Etymology: Middle English privat, from Anglo-French, from Latin privatus, from past participle of privare to deprive, release, from privus ~, individual; probably akin to Latin pro for, in front of — more at for  Date: 14th century  1.  a. intended for or restricted to the use of a particular person, group, or class a ~ park  b. belonging to or concerning an individual person, company, or interest a ~ house  c.  (1) restricted to the individual or arising independently of others ~ opinion  (2) carried on by the individual independently of the usual institutions ~ study a doctor in ~ practice; also being educated by independent study or a tutor or in a ~ school ~ students  d. not general in effect a ~ statute  e. of, relating to, or receiving hospital service in which the patient has more privileges than a semi~ or ward patient  2.  a.  (1) not holding public office or employment a ~ citizen  (2) not related to one's official position ; personal ~ correspondence  b. being a ~ a ~ soldier  3.  a. withdrawn from company or observation ; sequestered a ~ retreat  b. not known or intended to be known publicly ; secret a ~ conversation  c. preferring to keep personal affairs to oneself ; valuing privacy highly  d. unsuitable for public use or display  4. not having shares that can be freely traded on the open market a ~ company  • ~ly adverb  • ~ness noun  II. noun  Date: 15th century  1. archaic one not in public office  2. obsolete privacy  3. plural ~ parts  4.  a. a person of low rank in various organizations (as a police or fire department)  b. an enlisted man of the lowest rank in the marine corps or of one of the two lowest ranks in the army