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privet

(Science: botany) An ornamental European shrub (Ligustrum vulgare), much used in hedges; called also prim. Egyptian privet. See lawsonia. Evergreen privet, a plant of the genus rhamnus. See Alatern. Mock privet, any one of several evergreen shrubs of the genus phillyrea. They are from the Mediterranean region, and have been much cultivated for hedges and for fancifully clipped shrubberies.

Origin: Cf. Scot. Privie, Prov. E. Prim-print, primwort. Prob. For primet, and perh. Named from being cut and trimmed. See, Prim, and cf. Prime to prune, Prim, n, Prie.