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   Pro·pri·e·ty

   /p(r)əˈprīədē/

   

   noun

   • 1. the state or quality of conforming to conventionally accepted standards of behavior or morals: "he always behaved with the utmost propriety" Similar decorumrespectabilitydecencycorrectnessappropriatenessgood mannerscourtesypolitenessrectitudecivilitymodestydemurenesssobrietyrefinementdecorousnessseemlinessbecomingnessdiscretiongentilityetiquettebreedingconventionalityorthodoxyformalityprotocolformal:probityhumorous:coutharchaic:tenueetiquettesocial conventionssocial grace(s)social nicetiesone's Ps and Qsprotocoldecorumstandardscivilitiesceremonyformalitiesrules of conductaccepted behaviorconventionalitiesgood mannersgood formthe done thingthe thing to dopunctilioattention to detailarchaic:convenance(s)Opposite improprietyindecorum
   • ▪ the details or rules of behavior conventionally considered to be correct: "she's a great one for the proprieties"
   • ▪ the condition of being right, appropriate, or fitting: "they questioned the propriety of certain investments made by the council" Similar correctnessrightnessfitnesssuitabilitysuitablenessappropriatenessappropriacyaptnessmoralityethicalityOpposite impropriety

   Word Origin late Middle English (in the sense ‘peculiarity, essential quality’): from Old French propriete, from Latin proprietas (see property).

   Scrabble Points: 16

   • P

     3

   • R

     1

   • O

     1

   • P

     3

   • R

     1

   • I

     1

   • E

     1

   • T

     1

   • Y

     4

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