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.

See proper in Webster's New World College Dictionary

adjective

specially adapted or suitable to a specific purpose or specific conditions; appropriate: the proper tool for a job
naturally belonging or peculiar (to): weather proper to April
conforming to an accepted standard or to good usage; correct: a proper spelling
fitting; seemly; right: proper modesty
decent; decorous; genteel: often connoting exaggerated respectability: “the proper Bostonians”
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)
Brit. complete; thorough: a proper scoundrel
Now Chiefly Dial.
1. fine; good; excellent
2. handsome
Eccles. reserved for a particular day or festival: said of prayers, rites, etc.
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
Heraldry represented in its natural form or colors

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

adverb

noun

Related Forms:

See proper in American Heritage Dictionary 4

adjective

Characterized by appropriateness or suitability; fitting: the proper knife for cutting bread; not a proper moment for a joke.
Called for by rules or conventions; correct: the proper form for a business letter.
Strictly following rules or conventions, especially in social behavior; seemly: a proper lady; a proper gentleman.
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.
Being within the strictly limited sense, as of a term designating something: the town proper, excluding the suburbs.
Ecclesiastical For use in the liturgy of a particular feast or season of the year.
Mathematics Of or relating to a subset of a given set when the set has at least one element not in the subset.
Worthy of the name; true: wanted a proper dinner, not just a snack.
Out-and-out; thorough: a proper whipping.