PROPRIETY

propriety, properness, correctitude

(noun) correct or appropriate behavior

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Noun

propriety (countable and uncountable, plural proprieties)

(obsolete) The particular character or essence of someone or something; individuality. [15th-20th c.]

(obsolete) A characteristic; an attribute. [15th-20th c.]

(now rare) A piece of land owned by someone; someone's property. [from 16th c.]

(obsolete) More generally, something owned by someone; a possession. [16th-19th c.]

The fact of possessing something; ownership. [from 16th c.]

(now rare) Correct language or pronunciation. [from 17th c.]

Suitability, fitness; the quality of being appropriate. [from 18th c.]

(often, in the plural) Correctness in behaviour and morals; good manners, seemliness. [from 19th c.]

Source: Wiktionary

Pro*pri"e*ty, n.; pl. Proprieties. Etym: [F. propriété, L. proprietas, fr. proprius one's own, proper. See Property, Proper.]

1. Individual right to hold property; ownership by personal title; property. [Obs.] "Onles this propriety be exiled." Robynson (More's Utopia). So are the proprieties of a wife to be disposed of by her lord, and yet all are for her provisions, it being a part of his need to refresh and supply hers. Jer. Taylor.

2. That which is proper or peculiar; an inherent property or quality; peculiarity. [Obs.] Bacon. We find no mention hereof in ancient zoögraphers, . . . who seldom forget proprieties of such a nature. Sir T. Browne.

3. The quality or state of being proper; suitableness to an acknowledged or correct standard or rule; consonance with established principles, rules, or customs; fitness; appropriateness; as, propriety of behavior, language, manners, etc. "The rule of propriety," Locke.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition