| 释义 |
privacy|ˈpraɪvəsɪ, ˈprɪvəsɪ|
[f. private a.: see -cy.]
The state or quality of being private.
1. a. The state or condition of being withdrawn from the society of others, or from public interest; seclusion.
c1450St. Cuthbert (Surtees) 611 To kepe þaim in priuace. 1606Shakes. Tr. & Cr. iii. iii. 190 Achil. Of this my priuacie, I haue strong reasons. Vlis. But 'gainst your priuacie The reasons are more potent and heroycall. 1652Heylin Cosmogr. To Rdr. A iij, Some time to spare; some privacies and retreats from business; some breathing fits from the affairs of our Vocations. 1659T. Pecke Parnassi Puerp. 168 Vespasian during his Privacie, Led such a Life, as was Exemplary. 1759Johnson Idler No. 51 ⁋1 Those that surround them in their domestic privacies. 1832Lytton Eugene A. ii. iv, Your privacy will never be disturbed. 1856Emerson Eng. Traits, Manners Wks. (Bohn) II. 48 The motive and end..is to guard the independence and privacy of their homes.
b. The state or condition of being alone, undisturbed, or free from public attention, as a matter of choice or right; freedom from interference or intrusion. Also attrib., designating that which affords a privacy of this kind.
1814J. Campbell Rep. Cases King's Bench III. 81 Though the defendant might not object to a small window looking into his yard, a larger one might be very inconvenient to him, by disturbing his privacy, and enabling people to come through to trespass upon his property. 1890Warren & Brandeis in Harvard Law Rev. IV. 193 (title) The right to privacy. Ibid. 196 The question whether our law will recognize and protect the right to privacy..must soon come before our courts for consideration. 1901G. B. Shaw Capt. Brassbound's Conversion ii. 252 Well, I am afraid I want a little privacy, and, if you will allow me to say so, a little civility. 1933Post Office Electr. Engineers' Jrnl. XXVI. 224/1 Overseas radio telephone services operated by the Post Office are provided with privacy equipment on all channels where the necessary deciphering equipment is provided at the distant end. 1940Chambers's Techn. Dict. 752/2 Secrecy (or privacy) system, modification of speech-frequencies within the speech-band, so that during transmission from a radio transmitter to a receiver the signal is unintelligible and cannot be tapped. a1953E. O'Neill More Stately Mansions (1964) ii. iii. 130 Can I never have a moment's privacy in my own home? 1965[see private a. (n.) 2 f (a)]. 1970R. K. Kent Lang. Journalism 106 Privacy, right of, the right of a citizen not to have details of his life explored in the press... The right of privacy also prevents the use of a person's name or picture in an advertisement without his permission. 1975R. H. Rimmer Premar Experiments iii. 233 In the meantime, you can live in one of Premar's privacy rooms. 1976Billings (Montana) Gaz. 27 June 5-d/5 (Advt.), There's also a large patio with privacy fence and a double attached garage, all on a nicely landscaped half acre. 1977Chicago Tribune 2 Oct. xii. 21/1 (Advt.), Huge patio deck with privacy fence and decorator touches. 1978I. Murdoch Sea 375 When Titus appeared I decided to go outside to avoid interruption and ensure privacy.
2. a. pl. Private or retired places; private apartments; places of retreat. Now rare.
1678R. L'Estrange Seneca's Mor. (1776) 343 It soars aloft, and enters into the privacies of Nature. 1749Fielding Tom Jones xvi. vii, Do you think yourself at Liberty to invade the Privacies of Women of Condition, without the least Decency or Notice? 1878Lanier Poems (1884) 14 Beautiful glooms..Wildwood privacies, closets of lone desire.
†b. A secret place, a place of concealment. Obs.
1686Plot Staffordsh. 307 Having rested at Boscobel two days, one in the Oak; the Night in a privacy behind the Chimney in one of the Chambers.
3. a. Absence or avoidance of publicity or display; a condition approaching to secrecy or concealment.
1598Shakes. Merry W. iv. v. 24 Let her descend: my Chambers are honourable: Fie, priuacy? Fie. 1641Wilkins (title) Mercury: or the Secret and Swift Messenger. Shewing how a Man may with Privacy and Speed communicate his Thoughts to a Friend at any Distance. 1647Clarendon Hist. Reb. i. §81 The Duke..took a resolution once more to make a Visit to that great Lady, which he believed he might do with great privacy. 1700Pennsylv. Archives I. 129, I caused this Town to be searched but with some Privacy. 1809Wellington in Gurw. Desp. (1838) V. 167, I have also to observe that privacy is inconsistent with every just notion of punishment. 1855Macaulay Hist. Eng. xiv. III. 403 The emaciated corpse was laid, with all privacy, next to the corpse of Monmouth in the chapel of the Tower. 1876J. Saunders Lion in Path i, A marriage..was solemnised with strict privacy in the chapel of Leigh Court, Yorkshire. 1879R. K. Douglas Confucianism iii. 77 No darkness conceals from its view, and no privacy hides from its knowledge.
†b. Keeping of a secret, reticence. Obs.
1736Ainsworth Eng.-Lat. Dict., Privacy, or keeping of counsel, taciturnitas, 3. silentium, 2.
4. a. A private matter, a secret; pl. private or personal matters or relations. Now rare.
1591Horsey Trav. (Hakl. Soc.) 236 Som other privacies comitted to my charge had ben so whispered owt. 1649Milton Eikon. vii. Wks. (1847) 293/1 What concerns it us to hear a husband divulge his household privacies, extolling to others the virtues of his wife? 1702Eng. Theophrast. 46 A blab, and one that shall make a privacy as public as a proclamation. 1759Johnson Rasselas xi, If he descend to the privacies of life, their habitations are more commodious, and their possessions are more secure.
†b. pl. The private parts. Obs.
1656Earl of Monmouth tr. Boccalini's Advts. fr. P. i. xxxv, Plucking up her cloaths, and shewing them her privacies.
†5. Intimacy, confidential relations. Obs.
1638Baker tr. Balzac's Lett. (vol. II.) 20 At that time..you gave me leave to boast of your friendship, I dare not now use the privacie of such tearmes. 1653Nicholas Papers (Camden) II. 17 He..observed that there was great intimacy and privacy between that Col. and Sr John Henderson. 1683A. D. Art Converse 42 Those that are our equals or have made us such by their privacy or intimate friendship.
6. The state of being privy to some act; = privity. rare.
1719Young Revenge ii. i, And now I come a mutual friend to both, Without his privacy, to let you know it. 1888Pall Mall G. 23 July 1/2 The amendment leaves the whole question as to the privacy to crime alleged against Mr. Parnell and his fellow members before the Commission. |