pro ‧ pri ‧ e ‧ ty /prəˈpraɪəti/ BrE AmE noun formal
[ Date: 1500-1600 ; Language: French ; Origin: propriété 'property, quality' , from Latin proprietas ; ⇨ ↑ property ]
1 . [singular, uncountable] correctness of social or moral behaviour OPP impropriety
propriety of
They discussed the propriety of treating ill children against the wishes of the parents.
with propriety
They conducted themselves with propriety.
2 . the proprieties especially British English the accepted rules of correct social behaviour:
strict in observing the proprieties