I. ə-ˈprō-prē-ˌāt transitive verb
( -at·ed ; -at·ing )
Etymology: Middle English, from Late Latin appropriatus, past participle of appropriare, from Latin ad- + proprius own
Date: 15th century
1. : to take exclusive possession of : annex
no one should appropriate a common benefit
2. : to set apart for or assign to a particular purpose or use
appropriate money for the research program
3. : to take or make use of without authority or right
• ap·pro·pri·a·ble -prē-ə-bəl adjective
• ap·pro·pri·a·tor -prē-ˌā-tər noun
II. ə-ˈprō-prē-ət adjective
Date: 15th century
: especially suitable or compatible : fitting
an appropriate response
remarks appropriate to the occasion
Synonyms: see fit
• ap·pro·pri·ate·ly adverb
• ap·pro·pri·ate·ness noun