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In a privy manner; privately; secretly. Chaucer. 2 Pet. ii. 1.

To steal or take privily (commonly, that which is of little value); to pilfer. Fain would they filch that little food away. Dryden. But he that filches from me my good name, Robs me of that which not enriches him, And makes me poor indeed. Shak.

d; to lie in wait. Like wild beasts, lurking in loathsome den. Spenser. Let us . . . lurk privily for the innocent. Prov. i. 11.

Disposed; inclined; having a mind. Joseph... was minded to put her away privily. Matt. i. 19. If men were minded to live virtuously. Tillotson.

cept ye repent, ye shall all likewisr perish. Luke xiii. 3. And now do they thrust us out privily nay, verily; but let them come themselves and fetch us out. Acts xvi. 37. He that will not when he may, When he would he shall have nay. Old Prov.

state, or person intrusted with the privy seal. [Eng.] -- Privy verdict, a verdict given privily to the judge out of court; -- now disused. Burrill.

andal. Joseph, . . . not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily. Matt. i. 19.

To withdraw, or pass privily; to slip in, along, or away, unperceived; to go or come furtively. Chaucer. Fixed of mind to avoid further entreaty, and to fly all company, one night she stole away. Sir P. Sidney. From whom you now must steal, and take no leave. Shak. A soft and solemn breathing sound Rose like a steam of…

Started; leaped. They privily be stirt into a well. Chaucer.

To creep secretly or privily. [Obs.] Wyclif.