Hypertext Webster Gateway: "improper"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Improper \Im*prop"er\, a. [F. impropre, L. improprius; pref. im-
not + proprius proper. See {Proper}.]
1. Not proper; not suitable; not fitted to the circumstances,
design, or end; unfit; not becoming; incongruous;
inappropriate; indecent; as, an improper medicine;
improper thought, behavior, language, dress.
Follow'd his enemy king, and did him service,
Improper for a slave. --Shak.
And to their proper operation still, Ascribe all
Good; to their improper, Ill. --Pope.
2. Not peculiar or appropriate to individuals; general;
common. [Obs.]
Not to be adorned with any art but such improper
ones as nature is said to bestow, as singing and
poetry. --J. Fletcher.
3. Not according to facts; inaccurate; erroneous.
{Improper diphthong}. See under {Diphthong}.
{Improper feud}, an original feud, not earned by military
service. --Mozley & W.
{Improper fraction}. See under {Fraction}.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Improper \Im*prop"er\, v. t.
To appropriate; to limit. [Obs.]
He would in like manner improper and inclose the
sunbeams to comfort the rich and not the poor. --Jewel.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
improper
adj 1: not suitable or right or appropriate; "slightly improper to
dine alone with a married man"; "improper medication"
[ant: {proper}]
2: not conforming to legality, moral law, or social convention;
"an unconventional marriage"; "improper banking practices"
[syn: {unconventional}, {unlawful}]
3: not appropriate for a purpose or occasion; "unsuitable
attire for the office"; "said all the wrong things" [syn:
{unsuitable}, {wrong}]
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