Proper

Proper
Proper Prop"er, a. [OE. propre, F. propre, fr. L. proprius. Cf. {Appropriate}.] [1913 Webster] 1. Belonging to one; one's own; individual. ``His proper good'' [i. e., his own possessions]. --Chaucer. ``My proper son.'' --Shak. [1913 Webster]

Now learn the difference, at your proper cost, Betwixt true valor and an empty boast. --Dryden. [1913 Webster]

2. Belonging to the natural or essential constitution; peculiar; not common; particular; as, every animal has his proper instincts and appetites. [1913 Webster]

Those high and peculiar attributes . . . which constitute our proper humanity. --Coleridge. [1913 Webster]

3. Befitting one's nature, qualities, etc.; suitable in all respect; appropriate; right; fit; decent; as, water is the proper element for fish; a proper dress. [1913 Webster]

The proper study of mankind is man. --Pope. [1913 Webster]

In Athens all was pleasure, mirth, and play, All proper to the spring, and sprightly May. --Dryden. [1913 Webster]

4. Becoming in appearance; well formed; handsome. [Archaic] ``Thou art a proper man.'' --Chaucer. [1913 Webster]

Moses . . . was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child. --Heb. xi. 23. [1913 Webster]

5. Pertaining to one of a species, but not common to the whole; not appellative; -- opposed to {common}; as, a proper name; Dublin is the proper name of a city. [1913 Webster]

6. Rightly so called; strictly considered; as, Greece proper; the garden proper. [1913 Webster]

7. (Her.) Represented in its natural color; -- said of any object used as a charge. [1913 Webster]

{In proper}, individually; privately. [Obs.] --Jer. Taylor.

{Proper flower} or {Proper corolla} (Bot.), one of the single florets, or corollets, in an aggregate or compound flower.

{Proper fraction} (Arith.) a fraction in which the numerator is less than the denominator.

{Proper nectary} (Bot.), a nectary separate from the petals and other parts of the flower. -- {Proper noun} (Gram.), a name belonging to an individual, by which it is distinguished from others of the same class; -- opposed to {common noun}; as, John, Boston, America.

{Proper perianth} or {Proper involucre} (Bot.), that which incloses only a single flower.

{Proper receptacle} (Bot.), a receptacle which supports only a single flower or fructification. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Proper — may refer to:* Proper (liturgy), the part of a Christian liturgy that is specific to the date within the Liturgical Year * Proper frame, such system of reference in which object is stationary (non moving), sometimes also called a co moving frame… …   Wikipedia

  • proper — [präp′ər] adj. [ME propre < OFr < L proprius, one s own] 1. specially adapted or suitable to a specific purpose or specific conditions; appropriate [the proper tool for a job] 2. naturally belonging or peculiar (to) [weather proper to… …   English World dictionary

  • proper — prop·er adj: marked by fitness or correctness; esp: being in accordance with established procedure, law, jurisdiction, or standards of care, fairness, and justice argued that the shareholder was acting in bad faith and lacked a proper purpose for …   Law dictionary

  • proper — Adj sauber erw. fremd. Erkennbar fremd (17. Jh.) Entlehnung. Entlehnt aus frz. propre, das auf l. proprius eigen, eigentümlich zurückgeht.    Ebenso nndl. proper, ne. proper, nschw. proper, nnorw. proper. ✎ DF 2 (1942), 690f.; Jones (1976), 543;… …   Etymologisches Wörterbuch der deutschen sprache

  • proper — [adj1] suitable able, applicable, appropriate, apt, au fait, becoming, befitting, capable, competent, convenient, decent, desired, felicitous, fit, fitting, good, happy, just, legitimate, meet, qualified, right, suited, true, useful; concept 558… …   New thesaurus

  • proper — early 13c., adapted to some purpose, fit, apt, from O.Fr. propre (11c.), from L. proprius one s own, particular to itself, from pro privo for the individual. Proper name belonging to or relating to the person or thing in question, is from late… …   Etymology dictionary

  • proper — Adj. (Oberstufe) ugs.: im Äußeren ordentlich und sauber Synonyme: adrett, gepflegt Beispiele: Ihre Kleidung ist immer sehr proper. Das Zimmer ist proper aufgeräumt …   Extremes Deutsch

  • proper — ► ADJECTIVE 1) truly what something is said or regarded to be; genuine. 2) (after a noun ) strictly so called: the World Cup proper. 3) suitable or appropriate; correct. 4) respectable, especially excessively so. 5) (proper to) belonging or… …   English terms dictionary

  • proper to — formal : belonging to or suited to (something) Are such violent emotions proper to poetry? • • • Main Entry: ↑proper …   Useful english dictionary

  • Proper — Prop er, adv. Properly; hence, to a great degree; very; as, proper good. [Colloq & Vulgar] [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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