Definitions for Proper
ˈprɒp ərProp·er

Princeton's WordNet(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. proper(adj)

   marked by suitability or rightness or appropriateness

   "proper medical treatment"; "proper manners"

2. proper(a)(adj)

   having all the qualities typical of the thing specified

   "wanted a proper dinner; not just a snack"; "he finally has a proper job"

3. proper(ip)(adj)

   limited to the thing specified

   "the city proper"; "his claim is connected with the deed proper"

4. proper, right(adj)

   appropriate for a condition or purpose or occasion or a person's character, needs

   "everything in its proper place"; "the right man for the job"; "she is not suitable for the position"

Wiktionary(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. proper(Adverb)

   properly; thoroughly; completely

   Etymology: From proper, propre, propre (French: propre), and their source, proprius.

2. proper(Adjective)

   Suitable.

   Etymology: From proper, propre, propre (French: propre), and their source, proprius.

3. proper(Adjective)

   Possessed, related.

   Etymology: From proper, propre, propre (French: propre), and their source, proprius.

4. proper(Adjective)

   Accurate, strictly applied.

   Etymology: From proper, propre, propre (French: propre), and their source, proprius.

Webster Dictionary(3.00 / 1 vote)Rate this definition:

1. Proper(adj)

   belonging to one; one's own; individual

   Etymology: [OE. propre, F. propre, fr. L. proprius. Cf. Appropriate.]

2. Proper(adj)

   belonging to the natural or essential constitution; peculiar; not common; particular; as, every animal has his proper instincts and appetites

   Etymology: [OE. propre, F. propre, fr. L. proprius. Cf. Appropriate.]

3. Proper(adj)

   befitting one's nature, qualities, etc.; suitable in all respect; appropriate; right; fit; decent; as, water is the proper element for fish; a proper dress

   Etymology: [OE. propre, F. propre, fr. L. proprius. Cf. Appropriate.]

4. Proper(adj)

   becoming in appearance; well formed; handsome

   Etymology: [OE. propre, F. propre, fr. L. proprius. Cf. Appropriate.]

5. Proper(adj)

   pertaining to one of a species, but not common to the whole; not appellative; -- opposed to common; as, a proper name; Dublin is the proper name of a city

   Etymology: [OE. propre, F. propre, fr. L. proprius. Cf. Appropriate.]

6. Proper(adj)

   rightly so called; strictly considered; as, Greece proper; the garden proper

   Etymology: [OE. propre, F. propre, fr. L. proprius. Cf. Appropriate.]

7. Proper(adj)

   represented in its natural color; -- said of any object used as a charge

   Etymology: [OE. propre, F. propre, fr. L. proprius. Cf. Appropriate.]

8. Proper(adverb)

   properly; hence, to a great degree; very; as, proper good

   Etymology: [OE. propre, F. propre, fr. L. proprius. Cf. Appropriate.]

Freebase(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. Proper

   The Proper is a part of the Christian liturgy that varies according to the date, either representing an observance within the Liturgical Year, or of a particular saint or significant event. The term is used in contrast to the ordinary, which is that part of the liturgy that is reasonably constant, or at least selected without regard to date, or to the common, which contains those parts of the liturgy that are common to an entire category of saints, such as Apostles or Martyrs. Propers may include hymns and prayers in the Canonical Hours and in the Eucharist.

Chambers 20th Century Dictionary(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. Proper

   prop′ėr, adj. one's own: fitted for a person's nature or qualities: peculiar: belonging to only one of a species (as a name): natural: suitable: correct: just: right: becoming: (B.) comely, pretty: in liturgics, used only on a particular day or festival.—n. something set apart for a special use.—adv. (coll.) very, exceedingly.—adv. Prop′erly, in a proper manner: (coll.) entirely, extremely.—n. Prop′erness.—Properly speaking, in the strict sense: speaking without qualification. [Fr. propre—L. proprius, one's own, akin to prope, near.]

Military Dictionary and Gazetteer(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. proper

   A term which serves to mark out a thing more especially and formally. Thus, the proper form of a battalion is the usual continuity of line given to the formation of a battalion, and which remains unaltered by the wheelings of its divisions; or if altered, is restored by the same operation. Proper right, is the right of a battalion, company, or subdivision, when it is drawn up according to its natural formation. Proper pivot flank, in column, is that which, when wheeled up to, preserves the division of the line in the natural order, and to their proper front. The other may be called the reverse flank.

2. proper

   In heraldry, a charge borne of its natural color, is said to be proper. An object whose color varies at different times and in different examples, as a rose which may be white or red cannot be borne proper.

British National Corpus

1. Spoken Corpus Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'Proper' in Spoken Corpus Frequency: #1730

2. Written Corpus Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'Proper' in Written Corpus Frequency: #1016

3. Adjectives Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'Proper' in Adjectives Frequency: #196

Anagrams for Proper »

1. per pro

How to pronounce Proper?

1. 

   Alex

   US English

   

   Daniel

   British

   

   Karen

   Australian

   

   Veena

   Indian

How to say Proper in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of Proper in Chaldean Numerology is: 5

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of Proper in Pythagorean Numerology is: 7

Examples of Proper in a Sentence

1. Jonathon Porritt:

   You don't protect the world's forests by coming out with big picture commitments for their own sake. You can only (do it) by giving people who live in and depend on those forests a proper economic stake in that set of decisions.

2. Leonard Doyle:

   We think it's shocking that we are now learning that there are so many unaccompanied minors exposed to trafficking and other dangers, that is another tragic twist in the latest story of migration to Europe and the need to protect vulnerable young people who find themselves at loose without friends in Europe and therefore vulnerable without proper mentoring and leadership.

3. Benjamin Franklin:

   I resolve to speak ill of no man whatever, not even in a matter of truth but rather by some means excuse the faults I hear charged upon others, and upon proper occasions speak all the good I know of everybody.

4. John Stuart Mill, On Liberty, 1859:

   The only freedom which deserves the name is that of pursuing our own good in our own way, so long as we do not attempt to deprive others of theirs, or impede their efforts to obtain it. Each is the proper guardian of his own health, whether bodily, or mental or spiritual. Mankind are greater gainers by suffering each other to live as seems good to themselves, than by compelling each to live as seems good to the rest.

5. Priscilla Moreland:

   Doesn’t the Air Force think that with the proper training I or my peers couldn’t excel as drone pilots? right now, the minimum height-limit starts at 5’4?. My daughter is 5’2?. What difference does it make what height you are when you are flying a drone? You are not actually sitting in an airplane.

Images & Illustrations of Proper

Popularity rank by frequency of use