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propriety

   Also found in: Legal, Wikipedia 0.02 sec.
pro·pri·e·ty  (pr-pr-t)
n. pl. pro·pri·e·ties
1. The quality of being proper; appropriateness.
2. Conformity to prevailing customs and usages.
3. proprieties The usages and customs of polite society.

[Middle English propriete, particular character, ownership, from Old French; see property.]

propriety
Noun
pl -ties
1. the quality or state of being appropriate or fitting
2. correct conduct
3. the proprieties the standards of behaviour considered correct by polite society [Old French propriété, from Latin proprius one's own]
ThesaurusLegend:  Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
Noun1.propriety - correct or appropriate behavior
demeanor, demeanour, deportment, behaviour, conduct, behavior - (behavioral attributes) the way a person behaves toward other people
decorousness, decorum - propriety in manners and conduct
appropriateness, rightness - appropriate conduct; doing the right thing
correctness - the quality of conformity to social expectations
good form - behavior that conforms to social conventions of the time; "it is not good form to brag about winning"
priggishness, primness - exaggerated and arrogant properness
reserve, modesty - formality and propriety of manner
seemliness, grace - a sense of propriety and consideration for others; "a place where the company of others must be accepted with good grace"
decency - the quality of conforming to standards of propriety and morality
improperness, impropriety - an improper demeanor

propriety
3. etiquette, the niceties, the civilities, the amenities, the done thing, the social graces, the rules of conduct, the social conventions, social code, accepted conduct, kawa N.Z. tikanga N.Z.
Translations
Spanish propriety [prəˈpraɪətɪ] ndecoro
French propriety [prəˈpraɪətɪ] n (= seemliness) → bienséance f, convenance f
German propriety [prəˈpraɪətɪ] n (= seemliness) → Schicklichkeit f
Italian propriety [prəˈpraɪətɪ] n (= seemliness) → decoro, rispetto delle convenienze sociali

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? Mentioned in ? References in classic literature
 
He was not an ill-disposed young man, unless to be rather cold hearted and rather selfish is to be ill-disposed: but he was, in general, well respected; for he conducted himself with propriety in the discharge of his ordinary duties.
WHEN the people of America reflect that they are now called upon to decide a question, which, in its consequences, must prove one of the most important that ever engaged their attention, the propriety of their taking a very comprehensive, as well as a very serious, view of it, will be evident.
AS a preface is the only place where an author can with propriety explain a purpose or apologize for shortcomings, I venture to avail myself of the privilege to make a statement for the benefit of my readers.
 
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