privity

The story

1. Old French · derived frompriveté
2. Anglo-Norman · derived frompriveté
3. English todayprivity

From Anglo-Norman priveté, privitee et al., Old French priveté, from privé + -té.

First known use, by meaning

• 12th–16th c. A divine mystery; something known only to God, or revealed only in holy scriptures.
• from 13th c. Privacy, secrecy.
• 14th–17th c. A private matter, a secret.
• from 14th c. The genitals.
• from 16th c. A relationship between parties seen as being a result of their mutual interest or participation in a given transaction, e.g. contract, estate, etc.
• from 16th c. The fact of being privy to something; knowledge, compliance.