[prop.er.ty] n, pl -ties [ME proprete, fr. MF proprete, fr. L proprietat-, proprietas, fr. proprius own] (14c) 1 a: a quality or trait belonging and esp. peculiar to an individual or thing b: an effect that an object has on another object or on the senses c: virtue 3 d: an attribute common to all members of a class
2. a: something owned or possessed; specif: a piece of real estate b: the exclusive right to possess, enjoy, and dispose of a thing: ownership c: something to which a person or business has a legal title d: one (as a performer) under contract whose work is esp. valuable
3: an article or object used in a play or motion picture except painted scenery and costumes syn see quality -- prop.er.ty.less adj -- prop.er.ty.less.ness n