English Explanatory Dictionary

propriety

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. The particular character or essence of someone or something; individuality.
  2. A characteristic; an attribute.
  3. A piece of land owned by someone; someone's property.
  4. More generally, something owned by someone; a possession.
  5. The fact of possessing something; ownership.
  6. Correct language or pronunciation.
  7. Suitability, fitness; the quality of being appropriate.
  8. Correctness in behaviour and morals; good manners, seemliness.

Pronunciation

/pɹəˈpɹaɪəti/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vanderdecken-propriety.wav

Word forms

propriety proprieties

Etymology

From late Middle English proprietee, propretee, propriete (“ownership”), borrowed from Anglo-Norman propreté, Middle French proprieté, from Latin proprietās. By surface analysis, prop(e)r + -iety. Doublet of property.

Synonyms

peculiarity specialty individuality particularity propriety singularity specificity specificness trait quality race attribute characteristic designation distinction distinctiveness feature hallmark owndom parameter property touch whatness belongings aught possession proprietorship ownership decency integrity rectitude angelicality angelicalness angelicity angelicness godliness honesty honor probity righteousness rightfulness saintlikeness saintliness seemlihood seemliness uprightness virtuousness

Related words

proper

Derived words

impropriety proprietarian proprietariat unpropriety
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