proprietary

& a. [Fr. propriétaire =(a. proprietary, (s.) a proprietor, from Lat. proprietar ius an owner, from proprietas = property (q. v.) Sp. pro pieta rio; Port. & Ital. proprietario.] A. As substantive: I. Ordinary Language: 1. A proprietor, an owner; one who has the exclusive legal right or title to anything. "'Tis a mistake to think ourselves stewards in some of God's gifts, and proprietaries in others." -Government of the Tongue. 2. A book or list of proprietors collectively; the whole body of proprietors; as, the proprietary of a county. II. Eccles.: A monk who had reserved goods and effects to himself, notwithstanding his renuncia. tion of all at his profe ion (q. v.). B. As adj .: Belonging to a proprietor or owner or to a proprietary; pertaining or belonging to ownership; as, a proprietary medicine. "Though sheep, which are proprietary , are seldom marked, yet they are not apt to straggle."-Grew.