improper

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   not suitable or right or appropriate

   slightly improper to dine alone with a married man

2. 2
   adj

   Not in keeping with conventional mores or good manners; indecent or immodest.

   improper conduct

3. 3
   adj

   Not specific or appropriate to individuals; general; common.

   Not to be adorned with any art but such improper ones as nature is said to bestow, as singing and poetry.

4. 4
   verb

   To appropriate; to assign (something, to someone) as a possession or prerogative.

   He would in like manner improper and inclose the sunbeams to comfort the rich and not the poor.

5. 5
   adj

   not appropriate for a purpose or occasion

6. 6
   adj

   not conforming to legality, moral law, or social convention

7. 7
   adj

   Unsuitable to needs or circumstances; inappropriate; inapt.

8. 8
   adj

   Not according to facts; inaccurate or erroneous.

Etymology

From Middle English empropren, perhaps from an unattested Anglo-Norman variant enproprier of Anglo-Norman apropr(i)er, approprier, related to modern French approprier.