noun
privet
PRIV-it/ˈprɪvɪt/
A small-leaved flowering shrub commonly grown as a hedge.
A row of privet forms a hedge along the driveway.
Etymology
The name’s origin is unknown. It denotes a shrub commonly used for hedges, but the evidence does not explain why it received this name.
In context
the garden which lay seawards was sheltered by the building from the west, and from the east by a thick hedge of thorn and privet, which quite hid it from the roadway.
More examples
- The privet blooms with clusters of small white flowers.
- We trim the privet to keep the hedge neat.
- The nursery sells several types of privets.
Forms
privet · privets