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American Dictionary of the English Language

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Impropriety


IMPROPRI'ETY, noun [Latin improprius. See Improper.]

1. Unfitness; unsuitableness to character, time, place or circumstances; as impropriety of behavior or manners. Levity of conduct is an impropriety in a religious assembly and at a funeral. Rudeness or forwardness in young persons before their superiors, is impropriety Indecency and indecorum are improprieties.

2. Inaccuracy in language; a word or phrase not according with the established usages or principles of speaking or writing.

Many gross improprieties, however authorized by practice, ought to be discarded.