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 originalfeud, not earned by military service. Mozley & W. -- Improper fraction. See under Fraction.
© Webster 1913.
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.
© Webster 1913.