I. ˈprä-pər adjective
Etymology: Middle English propre proper, own, from Anglo-French, from Latin proprius own
Date: 14th century
1.
a. : referring to one individual only
b. : belonging to one : own
c. : appointed for the liturgy of a particular day
d. : represented heraldically in natural color
2. : belonging characteristically to a species or individual : peculiar
3. chiefly dialect : good-looking , handsome
4. : very good : excellent
5. chiefly British : utter , absolute
6. : strictly limited to a specified thing, place, or idea
the city proper
7.
a. : strictly accurate : correct
b. archaic : virtuous , respectable
c. : strictly decorous : genteel
8. : marked by suitability, rightness, or appropriateness : fit
9. : being a mathematical subset (as a subgroup) that does not contain all the elements of the inclusive set from which it is derived
Synonyms: see fit
• prop·er·ly adverb
• prop·er·ness noun
II. noun
Date: 15th century
1. : the parts of the Mass that vary according to the liturgical calendar
2. : the part of a missal or breviary containing the proper of the Mass and the offices proper to the holy days of the liturgical year
III. adverb
Date: 15th century
chiefly dialect : in a thorough manner : completely