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

Etymology: 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