See Also: Propriety(medicine)
propriety(dictionary)
propriety(dictionary)

propriety (iou)



propriety noun. LME.
[Old & mod. French propriete from Latin proprietas peculiarity, ownership, from proprius PROPER adjective: see -ITY. Cf. PROPERTY.]
I.
Particular or individual character, nature, or disposition; individuality. Now rare. LME.
An essential quality or attribute; = PROPERTY noun 2. LME-M19.
The special character or a special characteristic of a language; an idiom. M16-M18.
Fitness, appropriateness, suitability; rightness, correctness, accuracy. E17.
Ld Macaulay A committee to consider the propriety of impeaching Arlington.
Conformity to conventional standards of behaviour or morals, correctness, decency; convention; in pl., the things that are considered proper, the details or rules of conventionally correct conduct. L18.
play propriety ensure correct behaviour by acting as a chaperon.
A. Livingstone Lou and Ree defied propriety by sharing their home without being married.
II.
The fact of owning or being owned; right of possession or use; ownership. Now rare. LME.
Something owned, one's property; a possession. Now only spec. (N. Amer. History), a piece of land owned by or granted to someone, an estate. L16.