Etymology
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privatize (v.)

"make private as opposed to public," especially of a state transferring services or industries to private enterprise, 1966, a back-formation from privatization (q.v.). Re-privatise is attested from 1942. Related: Privatized; privatizing.

Entries linking to privatize

privatization (n.)

"policy or process of making private as opposed to public," 1924, in reference to German economic policies in the crisis after World War I, from private (adj.) + -ization. Re-privatisation is attested by 1939.

Hugo Stinnes repeatedly demanded the privatization of the railroads, alleging that they could never function satisfactorily and profitably under bureaucratic administration. [United News article in Miami Herald, April 28, 1924]
privatise (v.)

chiefly British English spelling of privatize (q.v.); for suffix, see -ize. Related: Privatised; privatisation.

updated on November 18, 2020

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Dictionary entries near privatize

privation

privatisation

privatise

privative

privatization

privatize

privet

privilege

privileged

privity

privy

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