privates

Noun

private (plural privates)

1. A soldier of the lowest rank in the army.
2. A doctor working in privately rather than publicly funded health care.
   • In the cities and towns of California, privates are pressuring county governments to close or reduce in size their hospitals and to pay private hospitals for the care of low-income patients. Thus everything is stacked against public hospitals.1973, Health/PAC Bulletin, numbers 48-67, page 2
3. (euphemistic, in plural) The genitals.

   Synonyms:

   bits, private parts

4. (obsolete) A secret message; a personal unofficial communication.
   • The Count Meloone, a Noble Lord of France,
     Whose priuate with me of the Dolphines loue,
     s much more generall, then these lines import.c. 1596 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Life and Death of King Iohn”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward]...
5. (obsolete) Personal interest; particular business.
   • Nor must I be unmindful of my private.1611, Ben[jamin] Jonson, Catiline His Conspiracy, London: […] [William Stansby?] for Walter Burre, →OCLC, (please specify the page)
6. (obsolete) Privacy; retirement.
   • Go off, I diſcard you: let me enioy my priuate: go off.c. 1601–1602 (date written), William Shakespeare, “Twelfe Night, or What You Will”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and...

See all 20 meanings of private