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Glite Dictionary
privily

privily

1 9.9
In a secret way so no one knows
  • adverb
  • /ˈprɪvɪli/
  • Archaic
: en privado
  • Remember, Joseph was considering whether to put Mary away privily for her (he presumed) adultery.

Examples

  • Gal 2:4 And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage:

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  • The detective managed to enter the building privily to gather evidence without alarming the suspects.

  • He privily shared his concerns with her, hoping to keep the discussion between just the two of them.

  • They schemed privily to plan a surprise party for their friend's birthday without her knowledge.

Synonyms

privately
vsprivily
179 3.2

In a way not shared with other people

is secret but may also stress personal confidentiality over publicness
confidentially
vsprivily
11 4.4

In a private way so no one else knows

is secret in a general or personal way rather than formal

Antonyms

openly
274 1.6

To say or do things without hiding feelings

transparently
10 3.9

In a clear way people can easily understand

How Secret

clandestinely
  • Formal
3 8.0
privily
  • Archaic
1 9.9
privately
179 3.2
openly
274 1.6

Surface Forms

privily positive

Morphology

privily = private (semi-transparent) = priv + ily

The transformation from 'private' to 'privily' involves a historical form 'privy', which may not be immediately recognizable to learners.

Etymology

Privily comes from the same root as private and privy, from the Latin word privare meaning 'to separate' or 'set apart'. So to do something privily is to do it 'apart' from others, quietly and secretly.