proper

The definition of proper is appropriate or obeying manners and standards.

(adjective)

An example of proper used as an adjective is a proper gesture, such as putting ones napkin in your lap before eating.

Proper is defined as thoroughly and completely.

(adverb)

An example of something done proper is a science project finished correctly and all the way through, completed good and proper.

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See proper in Webster's New World College Dictionary

adjective

  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 April
  3. conforming to an accepted standard or to good usage; correct: a proper spelling
  4. fitting; seemly; right: proper modesty
  5. decent; decorous; genteel: often connoting exaggerated respectability: “the proper Bostonians”
  6. understood in its most restricted sense; strictly so called: usually following the noun modified: the population of Chicago proper (i.e., apart from its suburbs)
  7. Brit. complete; thorough: a proper scoundrel
  8. Now Chiefly Dial.
    1. fine; good; excellent
    2. handsome
  9. Eccles. reserved for a particular day or festival: said of prayers, rites, etc.
  10. Gram.
    1. designating a noun that names a specific individual, place, etc., that is not normally used with an article, and that is normally capitalized: “Donald,” “Rover,” and “Boston” are proper nouns, sometimes called proper names
    2. designating an adjective formed from a proper noun, as Bostonian
  11. Heraldry represented in its natural form or colors

Origin: ME propre < OFr < L proprius, one's own

adverb

  1. completely; thoroughly
  2. properly; correctly

noun

  1. the special office or prayers for a particular day or festival
  2. those parts of the Mass which vary according to the particular day or festival

Related Forms:

See proper in American Heritage Dictionary 4

adjective
  1. Characterized by appropriateness or suitability; fitting: the proper knife for cutting bread; not a proper moment for a joke.
  2. Called for by rules or conventions; correct: the proper form for a business letter.
  3. Strictly following rules or conventions, especially in social behavior; seemly: a proper lady; a proper gentleman.
  4. a. Belonging to one; own: restored to his proper shape by the magician.
    b. Characteristically belonging to the being or thing in question; peculiar: an optical effect proper to fluids.
  5. Being within the strictly limited sense, as of a term designating something: the town proper, excluding the suburbs.
  6. Ecclesiastical For use in the liturgy of a particular feast or season of the year.
  7. Mathematics Of or relating to a subset of a given set when the set has at least one element not in the subset.
  8. Worthy of the name; true: wanted a proper dinner, not just a snack.
  9. Out-and-out; thorough: a proper whipping.
adverb
Thoroughly: beat the eggs good and proper.
noun
Ecclesiastical also Proper
The parts of the liturgy that vary according to the particular feast or season of the year.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English propre

Origin: , from Old French

Origin: , from Latin proprius; see per1 in Indo-European roots

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Related Forms:

  • propˈer·ly adverb
  • propˈer·ness noun

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