propriety
pro·pri·e·ty
noun \prə-ˈprī-ə-tē\ plural pro·pri·e·ties
Definition of PROPRIETY
1
obsolete : true nature
2
obsolete : a special characteristic : peculiarity
3
: the quality or state of being proper or suitable : appropriateness
4
a : conformity to what is socially acceptable in conduct or speech b : fear of offending against conventional rules of behavior especially between the sexes c plural : the customs and manners of polite society
See Examples of PROPRIETY
- She conducted herself with propriety.
- They debated the propriety of the punishment that he was given.
- When attending a wedding, there are certain proprieties that must be observed.
- If Madison felt the same annoyance with the dissenters, his prim sense of political propriety forbade him from stooping to personal attacks. —Jack N. Rakove, Original Meanings …, 1996
- His austere and basically humble personality imposes a curious damp propriety upon his memorial. —John Updike, New Yorker, 1 July 1991
- In contemporary America the appearance of prosperity is all too often taken as a sign of propriety. —Jack Beatty, Atlantic, December 1989
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Origin of PROPRIETY
Middle English propriete, from Anglo-French proprieté, propreté property, quality of a person or thing — more at property
First Known Use: 14th century
Related to PROPRIETY
Related Words: etiquette; civility, courteousness, courtesy, gentilesse, gentility, graciousness, mannerliness, politeness, politesse; dignity, grace, refinement; discretion, prudence; appropriateness, correctitude, correctness, decorousness, fitness, rightness, seemliness; attention, attentiveness, care, carefulness; character, goodness, high-mindedness, honesty, honor, integrity, morality, probity, rectitude, righteousness, straightness, uprightness, virtue, virtuousness
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