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Webster 1913 Edition


Impropriety

Imˊpro-pri′e-ty

,
Noun.
;
pl.
Improprieties
(#)
.
[L.
improprietas
; cf. F.
impropriété
. See
Improper
.]
1.
The quality of being improper; unfitness or unsuitableness to character, time place, or circumstances;
as,
impropriety
of behavior or manners
.
2.
That which is improper; an unsuitable or improper act, or an inaccurate use of language.
But every language has likewise its
improprieties
and absurdities.
Johnson.
Many gross
improprieties
, however authorized by practice, ought to be discarded.
Swift.

Webster 1828 Edition


Impropriety

IMPROPRI'ETY

,
Noun.
[L. improprius. See Improper.]
1.
Unfitness; unsuitableness to character, time, place or circumstances; as impropriety of behavior or manners. Levity of conduct is an impropriety in a religious assembly and at a funeral. Rudeness or forwardness in young persons before their superiors, is impropriety. Indecency and indecorum are improprieties.
2.
Inaccuracy in language; a word or phrase not according with the established usages or principles of speaking or writing.
Many gross improprieties, however authorized by practice, ought to be discarded.

Definition 2024


impropriety

impropriety

English

Noun

impropriety (countable and uncountable, plural improprieties)

  1. (uncountable) The condition of being improper.
  2. (countable) An improper act.
  3. Improper language.