adv., a., sb. [F. à propos (used in Fr. as adv., adj. and sb.), f. à to + propos purpose, plan, f. L. prōpositum, pa. pple. of prōpōnĕre to set forth, propose.] Const. to, of.
A. adv.
1. To the purpose; fitly, opportunely.
1668. Dryden, Ess. Dram. Poesy. The French … use them with better judgment, and more àpropos.
1708. Addison, in Dk. Manch., Crt. Eliz. to Anne, II. 315. Stanhope and Earl arrived very àpropos.
1714. Mandeville, Fab. Bees (1733), II. 187. Men of prodigious reading … who judge ill, and seldom say any thing à propos.
2. With regard to, in respect of, as suggested by. (Fr. à propos de.) absol. (as introductory to an incidental observation or question): By the way.
1761. Smollett, Gil Blas, IX. i. (1802), III. 44. But a-propos! Hast thou seen the girl?
Hood, Up the Rhine, 166. Apropos to which last, you will find inclosed [etc.].
1883. Black, Shandon Bells, III. xi. 265. Suddenly, and à propos of nothing, asking him how it was possible for a man to have three godmothers.
B. adj. To the point or purpose; having direct reference to the matter in hand; pertinent, opportune, ‘happy.’
1691. T. H[ale], Acc. New Invent., 44. It is certainly … a propos what he had said before in that Page.
1730. Southall, Buggs, 20. The Thought was à propos.
c. 1735. Pope, Hor. Epist., II. ii. 154. A tale extremely apropos.
1826. Disraeli, Viv. Grey, III. vii. 117. Is there not a passage in Spix apropos to this?
C. sb. An opportune or pertinent occurrence (obs.); pertinency.
1783. Europ. Mag., III. 246/2. But a greater apropos than this, happened from mere accident.
1860. Edinb. Rev., No. 225. 96. Few men … have described what they have seen with more apropos.
