[pro.pri.e.tor] n [alter. of [1]proprietary] (1637) 1: one granted ownership of a colony (as one of the original American colonies) and full prerogatives of establishing a government and distributing land
2. a: one who has the legal right or exclusive title to something: owner b: one having an interest (as control or present use) less than absolute and exclusive right -- pro.pri.e.tor.ship n