PROPERTY


Meaning of PROPERTY in English

I. ˈpräpə(r)d.]ē, -)t], ]i, in rapid -R speech sometimes -pt] noun

( -es )

Etymology: Middle English proprete, from Middle French propreté, proprieté, from Latin proprietat-, proprietas, from proprie- (from proprius own, particular) + -tat-, -tas -ty

1.

a. : a quality or trait belonging to a person or thing ; especially : a quality peculiar to an individual person or thing

the eye has this strange property : it rests only in beauty — Virginia Woolf

b. : an effect that a material object or substance has on another object or on one or more of the senses of an observer

the properties of the objects of nature do not signify … anything proper to the particular objects in and for themselves, but always a relation to a second object (including our sense organs) — H.L.F. von Helmholtz

alkaline properties of ammonia

optical properties of a mineral

c. : special power or capability : virtue

health resort … popular because of the healing properties attributed to the water of its spring — American Guide Series: Maryland

rhythm is a property of words — C.H.Rickword

d.

(1) : an attribute, characteristic, or distinguishing mark common to all members of a class or species

protein molecules … have the extraordinary property of being able to reproduce themselves — Gerald Piel

— called also essential property

(2) Aristotelian logic : an attribute that is common and peculiar to a species but not a part of its essence nor contained in its definition : proprium — called also nonessential property ; compare predicable

2.

a. : something that is or may be owned or possessed : wealth , goods ; specifically : a piece of real estate

the house … surrounded by the property — G.G.Weigend

b. : the exclusive right to possess, enjoy, and dispose of a thing : a valuable right or interest primarily a source or element of wealth : ownership

all individual property is … a form of monopoly — Edward Jenks

c. : something to which a person has a legal title : an estate in tangible assets (as lands, goods, money) or intangible rights (as copyrights, patents) in which or to which a person has a right protected by law

3. obsolete : propriety , fitness

4.

a. : any article or object used in a play or motion picture except painted scenery and actors' costumes

b. obsolete : a means to an end : tool

impossible I should love thee, but as a property — Shakespeare

Synonyms: see quality

II. transitive verb

( -ed/-ing/-es )

1. obsolete : to make a tool of : exploit

2. obsolete : appropriate

III. noun

1. : one (as a performer) who is under contract and whose work is especially valuable

2. : a book or script purchased for publication or production

Webster's New International English Dictionary.      Новый международный словарь английского языка Webster.