† 1. = IMPROPER a. 1. Obs.
c. 1380. Wyclif, Sel. Wks., II. 269. We seen now bi a myror, in fer siȝt, and unpropre, but we shulen se after in blis þe firste trouþe face to face.
14[?]. Voc., in Wr.-Wülcker, 589. Improprium, unpropre.
1594. Blundevil, Exerc., I. xxii. (1597), 23 b. The vnproper [compound musical proportion] is, when to 3 numbers giuen, 2 other seuerall numbers are ioyned [etc.].
a. 1619. Fotherby, Atheom., I. i. § 5 (1622), 8. So that Demonstrations are here vnproper and vnprofitable.
1661. Campion, Counterpoint, II. 122. The last close being to be made in the greater or sharp third, is unproper.
† b. spec. Of language. Obs.
c. 1449. Pecock, Repr., I. v. 27. Bi vnpropre maner of speche and bi figure. Ibid. In this present purpos of grounding and of the vnpropir speking vsid ther upon.
1550. Veron, Godly Saiyngs, B iv b. An abused and an vnpropre speache.
a. 1568. Ascham, Scholem., II. (Arb.), 87. To traine his Scholler to a iudgement, in cutting out … ouer old and vnproper wordes.
1607. Markham, Cavel., II. xix. 203. Speaking of these loftie ayres, hee calles them Cariering horses; an epithiton most vnproper.
2. = IMPROPER a. 2. Now dial.
1581. Mulcaster, Positions, xxxix. 221. Ignorance … will cause them selues to be their owne Gnatoes, a most vnproper part, to be seene vpon a stage, when [etc.].
1605. Camden, Rem., 14. It will not be vnproper I hope to this purpose if I note out of the epistles of … Busbequius.
a. 1659. Osborne, Piso & Vindex, Wks. (1673), 373. An endeavour no less indecent for men of Honour, than unproper for a Tyrant.
1678. Moxon, Mech. Exerc., vi. 101. The use of which … is unproper for me to meddle with in this Place.
1773. Johnson, (ed. 4), Unproper,… unfit, not right.
1869–. in various dialect glossaries, etc.
3. = IMPROPER a. 3. rare.
1868. Mrs. Whitney, P. Strong, ix. As foolish and happy and unproper as one pleases.
† 4. = IMPROPER a. 4. Obs.
1604. Shaks., Oth., IV. i. 69. Millions … nightly lye in those vnproper beds, which they dare sweare peculiar.
