prius (prius)

[ Priva (prī'vä), n. [NL. (Adanson, 1763); origin unknown.] A genus of erect herbs of the order Verbenaceæ and tribe Verbeneæ. It is characterized by a fruit of two nutlets, each two-celled and two seeded, a long spike with small bracts and interrupted at the base, and an enlarged fruiting-calyx tightly including the fruit within its closed apex. The 9 species are natives of warm regions of both hemispheres. They bear opposite toothed leaves, slender spikes terminal or long stalked in the axils, and small and somewhat two-lipped flowers which have five lobes and four short didynamous stamens. P. echinata of Brazil, the West Indies, southern Florida, etc., is called styptic- or velvet - bur, its fruiting calyx being bristly with small hooked hairs. P. lævis of Chili and the Argentine Republic yields small edible tubers. privacy (prī vā-si or priv'a-si), n.; pl. privacies (-siz). [ In the closet, where privacy and silence befriend our inquiries. Bp . Atterbury , Sermons, I. x. The housemates sit Around the radiant fireplace, enclosed In a tumultuous privacy of storm. Emerson, The Snow-Storm. IMG:content-0992.png:[blocks in formation] In all my Acquaintance and utmost Privacies with her. Steele , Conscious Lovers, i. 2. privadot (pri-vāʼdō), n. [Sp., = E. private : see private .] 1. A private or intimate friend; a court favorite. The modern languages give unto such persons the name of favourites, or privadoes . Bacon , Friendship (ed. 1887), The Duke of Lerma was the greatest Privado , the greatest Favourite, that ever was in Spain since Don Alvaro de Luna. Howell , Letters, I. iii. 11. Lat . May I desire one favour? Y. Book . What can I deny thee, my privado ? Steele , Lying Lover, ii. 1. 2. A private soldier or inferior (non-commi ioned) officer. Lantz privadoes , who are Corporals' Lieutenants. Ranks in British Army (Arber's Eng. Garner, I. 463).