proper

prop|er¹ W2S1 [ˈprɔpə US ˈpra:pər] adj

[Date: 1200-1300; : Old French; Origin: propre, from Latin proprius 'own']

1.) [only before noun]

right, suitable, or correct

▪ Everything was in its proper place (=where it should be) .

▪ the proper way to clean your teeth

▪ The proper name for Matthew's condition is hyperkinetic syndrome.

2.) socially or legally correct and acceptable

≠ ↑improper it is proper (for sb) to do sth

▪ I don't feel that it would be proper for me to give you that information.

▪ It is only right and proper that an independent inquiry should take place.

3.) [only before noun] BrE spoken real, or of a good and generally accepted standard

American Equivalent: decent, real

▪ When are you going to settle down and get a proper job ?

▪ Try to eat proper meals instead of fast-food takeaways.

4.) [only after noun]

the real or main part of something, not other parts before, after or near to it

▪ The friendly chat which comes before the interview proper is intended to relax the candidate.

▪ the city centre proper

5.) proper to sth formal

a)

belonging to one particular type of thing

▪ the reasoning abilities proper to our species

b) suitable for something

▪ dressed in a way that was proper to the occasion

6.) [only before noun] BrE spoken complete

= ↑real

▪ He's made a proper fool of himself this time!

7.) very polite, and careful to do what is socially correct

▪ She was very formal and proper.

→↑properly

proper ²

proper² adv BrE spoken

1.) good and proper

completely

▪ We beat 'em good and proper.

2.) used by some people to mean ↑properly, although most people think that this is incorrect