Private

' Affecting or belonging to a single person or persons, as distinguished from the people at large; opposed to public or state. Compare PUBLIC; Peivy. As, private or a private — agent, boundary, bridge, carrier, charity, corporation, conveyance, counsel, easement, examination of a married woman or witness, law — act or statute, nuisance, person, property, rights, wrong, qq. v. Privateer. A vessel owned and ofl&cered by private persons, but acting under a commission from a hostile or belligerent state, usually called " letters of marque," ' q. v.