■ adjective
1》 truly what something is said or regarded to be; genuine: she's never had a ~ job.
↘[ postposition ] strictly so called: the World Cup ~.
2》 suitable or appropriate; correct.
↘respectable.
3》 ( ~ to ) belonging or relating exclusively to.
↘(of a psalm, prayer, etc.) appointed for a particular day or occasion.
↘ archaic belonging to oneself.
4》 [usu. postposition ] Heraldry in the natural colours.
5》 archaic or dialect good-looking.
■ adverb Brit. informal or dialect correctly.
↘thoroughly.
■ noun the part of a church service that varies with the season or feast.
Derivatives
~ness noun
Origin
ME: from OFr. propre , from L. proprius 'one's own, special'.