privet,
n. [Cf. Scot.
privie, Prov. E.
prim-print,
primwort. Prob. for
primet, and perh. named from being cut and trimmed. See,
Prim,
a., and cf.
Prime to prune,
Prim, n.,
Prie,
n.].
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.<-- i. e., topiary plants -->