proper English · revision 3721

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=before 1300|origins=la proprius}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: UK /ˈprɒp.ə/, US /ˈprɑː.pɚ/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|enm|propre]],^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024) [[bor|fro|propre|t=own, particular; exact, fitting]] and directly [[der|la|proprius|t=one's own, particular to itself]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(NODE 1998) of uncertain origin.^(Barnhart 1988) Etymonline and Hoad take it from the phrase [[m|la|prō prīvō|t=for the individual, in particular]], from [[m|la|prīvus|t=one's own, individual]].^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986) It is related to [[property]], [[propriety]] and [[appropriate]].^(Hoad 1986)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Belonging to oneself, one's own: before 1300 in the OED.^(OED 1989) Barnhart dates propre “special, commendable” to probably before 1300, in ''Kyng Alisaunder'',^(Barnhart 1988) and Etymonline to about 1300, “fit, apt; commendable, excellent”, sometimes ironic.^(Etymonline) In grammar, of a name, it is from about 1290.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ “Pertaining to a person or thing in particular, distinctive” and “what is by the rules, correct” are from the early 14th century;^(Etymonline) Barnhart dates “one's own” to 1303 and “appropriate, correct” to 1340.^(Barnhart 1988) “Thorough, complete” and “excellent, fine” are from the 14th century,^(Hoad 1986) and “separate, distinct, itself”, as in ''the city proper'', from the early 15th century.^(Etymonline) The adverb, “very, exceedingly”, is from the mid-15th century, but since the 19th century it has been considered vulgar.^(Etymonline) “Socially appropriate, decent, respectable” is first recorded in Swift's apology to ''A Tale of a Tub'' (1704).^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) In heraldry, “in its natural colours”, it is from 1572.^(OED 1989) The ''proper noun'' is from the mid-15th century,^(Etymonline) and the ''proper fraction'' from 1674.^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 1290 – of a name, in grammar.^(OED 1989)

+ * before 1300 – one's own; commendable.^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1340 – appropriate, correct.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * early 15th century – distinct, itself.^(Etymonline)

+ * mid-15th century – adverb, and ''proper noun''.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1572 – in heraldry.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1674 – ''proper fraction''.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1704 – respectable.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Suitable; fitting: ''the proper tool''.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # Correct according to rules or conventions.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # Strictly following social conventions; [[respectable]] or [[prim]].^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # Belonging to or characteristic of a particular person or thing: ''proper to the season''.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # In the strict sense, itself: ''the city proper''.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # ''(chiefly British, informal)'' Thorough; complete: ''a proper mess''.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ===Adverb===

+ # ''(informal)'' Thoroughly: ''beaten good and proper''.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+

+ ===Noun===

+ # The parts of the [[liturgy]] that vary with the feast or season.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[properly]]

+ * [[properness]]

+ * [[property]]

+ * [[unproper]]

+ * [[proper value]]

+ * [[proper adjective]]

+ * [[proper fraction]]

+ * [[proper noun]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[appropriate]]

+ * [[propriety]]

+ * [[proprietor]]

+ * [[private]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ In Cornwall dialect ''proper'' meant particular, dainty, fastidious.^(Wright 1898)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}