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Entry 4 senses · 2 variants Webster, 1913

Improper

/ĭmˌ-präp'-ẽr/ · Im·prop·er · IPA /ɪmˈpɹɔp.ə/
01 a. Not proper; not suitable; not fitted to the circumstances, design, or end; unfit; not becoming; incongruous; inappropriate; indecent; as, a…
  1. 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. 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. 3.
    Not according to facts; inaccurate; erroneous.
Phrases & compounds
Improper diphthong — See under Diphthong.
Improper feud — an original feud, not earned by military service.
Improper fraction — See under Fraction.
02 v. t. To appropriate; to limit.
  1. 1.
    To appropriate; to limit.[Obs.]
    “He would in like manner improper and inclose the sunbeams to comfort the rich and not the poor.” — Jewel.