impropriate

1 of 2

transitive verb

im·​pro·​pri·​ate
ə̇mˈprōprēˌāt
-ed/-ing/-s
1
obsolete : appropriate
2
a
: to take over (a benefice or ecclesiastical property) and make one's own
the town which had impropriated the revenues of the churchT. D. Atkinson
b
: to transfer (monastic property) to lay control or ownership
distinguished from appropriate

impropriate

2 of 2

adjective

im·​pro·​pri·​ate
-ə̇t
: impropriated : lay as distinguished from clerical

Word History

Etymology

Transitive verb

Medieval Latin or New Latin impropriatus, past participle of impropriare, from Latin in- in- entry 2 + propriare to appropriate

Adjective

New Latin or Medieval Latin impropriatus

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Dictionary Entries Near impropriate

Cite this Entry

“Impropriate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/impropriate. Accessed 18 Dec. 2024.

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