proper

proper
adj., adv., & n.
—adj.
1 a accurate, correct (in the proper sense of the word; gave him the proper amount). b fit, suitable, right (at the proper time; do it the proper way).
2 decent; respectable, esp. excessively so (not quite proper).
3 (usu. foll. by to) belonging or relating exclusively or distinctively (with the respect proper to them).
4 (usu. placed after noun) strictly so called; real; genuine (this is the crypt, not the cathedral proper).
5 colloq. thorough; complete (had a proper row about it).
6 (usu. placed after noun) Heraldry in the natural, not conventional, colours (a peacock proper).
7 archaic (of a person) handsome; comely.
8 (usu. with possessive pronoun) archaic own (with my proper eyes).
—adv. Brit. dial. or colloq.
1 completely; very (felt proper daft).
2 (with reference to speech) in a genteel manner (learn to talk proper).
—n. Eccl. the part of a service that varies with the season or feast.
Phrases and idioms:
proper fraction a fraction that is less than unity, with the numerator less than the denominator. proper motion Astron. the part of the apparent motion of a fixed star etc. that is due to its actual movement in space relative to the sun. proper noun (or name) Gram. a name used for an individual person, place, animal, country, title, etc., and spelt with a capital letter, e.g. Jane, London, Everest. proper psalms (or lessons etc.) psalms or lessons etc. appointed for a particular day.
Derivatives:
properness n.
Etymology: ME f. OF propre f. L proprius one's own, special

Useful english dictionary. 2012.

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  • 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… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • 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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