priv·i·ty   (prĭv'ĭ-tē)    n.   pl. priv·i·ties Knowledge of something private or secret shared between individuals, especially with the implication of approval or consent. Law A relation between parties that is held to be sufficiently close and direct to support a legal claim on behalf of or against another person with whom this relation exists. A successive or mutual interest in or relationship to the same property. [Middle English privete, secrecy, privacy, from Old French, from Medieval Latin prīvitās, from Latin prīvus, single, alone; see per1 in Indo-European roots.]

Main Entry: priv·i·ty
Pronunciation: 'pri-v&-tE
Function: noun
Inflected Form: plural -ties
Etymology: Old French privité privacy, secret, from Medieval Latin privitat- privitas, from Latin privus private
1 : the direct connection or relationship between parties to a contract or transaction (as a purchase) <privity of contract> —see also HORIZONTAL PRIVITY 2, VERTICAL PRIVITY 2
NOTE: Formerly a suit for breach of warranty or negligence arising from a product could only be brought by a party to the original contract or transaction, and only against the party (as a retailer) directly dealt with. Only these parties had privity. Under modern laws and doctrines of strict liability and implied warranty, however, the right to sue has been extended to those, such as third-party beneficiaries and members of a purchaser's household, whose use of a product is foreseeable.
2 a : a mutual or successive interest esp. in the same rights of property (as by inheritance or purchase); also : the condition of having such an interest —see also HORIZONTAL PRIVITY 1, VERTICAL PRIVITY 1 b : an interest in a transaction, contract, or esp. action that does not derive from direct participation but from a relationship to one of the parties or from having an interest identical to one in the original subject matter; also : the condition or relationship of having such an interest privity> —see also PREDECESSOR IN INTEREST
NOTE: A claim may be barred by res judicata or collateral estoppel if the plaintiff's interests are identical, by relationship or subject matter, to those of a party to a previous action in which the plaintiff did not participate but which is deemed to have resulted in an adjudication of the plaintiff's rights.
3 : private or joint knowledge of a private matter; especially : awareness (as of wrongdoing) implying concurrence