Privet, in botany: A genus of the monogynia order, belonging to the diandria class of plants; and in the natural method ranking under the 44th order, Sepiariae. The corolla is quadrifid; the berry tetraspermous. There is but one species; of which there are two varieties, the deciduous and the evergreen. They are hardy plants, rising from 10 to 15 feet high, adorned with oblong entire leaves, and spikes of infundibuliform oblong white flowers, succeeded by black-berries. They are easily propagated by seed, layers, suckers, or cuttings. They are used for making hedges. The purple colour upon cards is prepared from the berries. With the addition of alum, these berries are said to dye wool and silk of a good and durable green; for which purpose they must be gathered as soon as they are ripe. The leaves are bitter and slightly astringent. Oxen, goats, and sheep, eat the plant; horses refuse it.