propriety, proprietie

[A doublet of property (q. v.).] *1. Property. "That no quarrel may arise about their propriety ." Fuller: Holy State , bk. i., ch. viii. *2. An inherent property or quality; a peculiarity. "This propriety , inherent and individual attribute in your majesty."- Bacon : Adv. of Learning, bk. i. *3. Property; rights of ownership or po e ion. ( Milton : P. L. , iv. 751.) *4. Individuality; proper and particular state. (Shakesp: Othello , ii. 3.) 5. Proper state or nature; suitablene to an acknowledged or correct standard or rule; accordance with established rule, customs, or principles; correctne , justne . "All parties were agreed as to the propriety of requir. ing the king to swear that, in temporal matters, he would govern according to law."-Macaulay: Hist. Eng ., ch. xi. To play propriety: To take a nominal, or merely decorum.