ˌprivy ˈchamber Now Hist.
[privy a. 2.]
1. In a general sense: A room reserved for the private or exclusive use of a particular person or persons; a private room, in which one is not liable to interruption or disturbance. Obs. or arch.
| c 1400 Destr. Troy 2972 Thou dissyret full depely, dame Elan, þi seluon, To pas fro þi palis & þi priuey chamber. c 1440 Promp. Parv. 414/1 Pryvy chawmyr (S. chambyr), conclave. c 1450 Merlin 19 Brynge thy moder in to a prevy chamber. 1581 G. Pettie tr. Guazzo's Civ. Conv. i. (1586) 13 Those which couet to get learning, seeke it not in publike places..but in their studies and priuie chambers. |
| fig. 1615 Crooke Body of Man 432 All these indiuiduall formes receiued by the senses, are..resigned vp in token of fœalty to the Common sense or priuy chamber of the soule. 1645 G. Daniel Odes xlvi. Wks. (Grosart) II. 96 Nor can Man in this Motley, meerlie man, Stand in the privie Chamber of his heart. |
2. spec. A private apartment in a royal residence.
Gentlemen of the Privy Chamber: see quots. 1681, 1727–41.
| 1540 Cromwell in Merriman Life & Lett. (1902) II. 270 Your Magestye avauncyd toward the galerye owt of your pryvey Chambre. 1681 Burnet Hist. Ref. II. 10 Those who attended on him [Edw. VI] in his bedchamber during his sickness, though they were called gentlemen of the privy-chamber; for the service of the gentlemen of the bed-chamber was not then set up. 1727–41 Chambers Cycl. s.v. Chamber, Gentlemen of the Privy-Chamber are servants of the king, who are to wait and attend on him and the queen at court, in their diversions, progresses, &c... Their number is forty-eight. Their institution is owing to king Henry VII. 1828 Tytler Hist. Scot. (1864) I. 39 The King of England summoned Baliol..into his privy chamber at Newcastle. 1849 James Woodman ii, You seem to be of his privy-chamber, goodman Boyd. |
Hence privy-ˈchamberer, a frequenter of the Privy Chamber.
| 1640 Habington Queen of Arragon 1, Who hath art To judge of my confession; must have had At least a Privie Chamberer to his Father. |