privy : Idioms & Phrases

• (styled also lord privy seal), a high officer of state, through whose hands pass all charters, pardons, etc., before they come to the great seal. He is a privy councillor, and was formerly called clerk of the privy seal. Eng.

Webster 1913

• noun the senior cabinet minister in the British Cabinet who has no official duties
  

WordNet

• a private apartment in a royal residence. Eng.

Webster 1913

• noun an advisory council to a ruler (especially to the British Crown)
  

WordNet

• (Eng. Law), the principal council of the sovereign, composed of the cabinet ministers and other persons chosen by the king or queen. Burrill.

Webster 1913

• a member of the privy council.

Webster 1913

• noun allowance for a monarch's personal expenses
  

WordNet

• moneys set apart for the personal use of the monarch; also, the title of the person having charge of these moneys. Eng. Macaulay.

Webster 1913

• the seal which the king uses in grants, etc., which are to pass the great seal, or which the uses in matters of subordinate consequence which do not require the great seal; also, elliptically, the principal secretary of state, or person intrusted with the privy seal. Eng.

Webster 1913

• a verdict given privily to the judge out of court; now disused. Burrill.

Webster 1913