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. [ 1913 Webster ]

Follow'd his enemy king, and did him service,
Improper for a slave. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

And to their proper operation still,
Ascribe all Good; to their improper, Ill. Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Not peculiar or appropriate to individuals; general; common. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Not to be adorned with any art but such improper ones as nature is said to bestow, as singing and poetry. J. Fletcher. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Not according to facts; inaccurate; erroneous. [ 1913 Webster ]

Improper diphthong. See under Diphthong. --
Improper feud, an original feud, not earned by military service. Mozley & W. --
Improper fraction. See under Fraction. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. To appropriate; to limit. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

He would in like manner improper and inclose the sunbeams to comfort the rich and not the poor. Jewel. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. improperare, improperatum, to taunt. ] The act of upbraiding or taunting; a reproach; a taunt. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Improperatios and terms of scurrility. Sir T. Browne [ 1913 Webster ]

‖n. pl. [ L., reproaches. ] (Mus.) A series of antiphons and responses, expressing the sorrowful remonstrance of our Lord with his people; -- sung on the morning of the Good Friday in place of the usual daily Mass of the Roman ritual. Grove. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. In an improper manner; not properly; unsuitably; unbecomingly. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Impropriety. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]