IMPROPRIETY • FREE TRANSLATOR.ORG • Definition of Impropriety

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/ˌɪmprəprˈaɪəti/ Listen

noun

Impropriety n. (pl. improprieties)

The quality of being improper; unfitness or unsuitableness to character, time place, or circumstances; as, impropriety of behavior or manners.

That which is improper; an unsuitable or improper act, or an inaccurate use of language. "But every language has likewise its improprieties and absurdities." "Many gross improprieties, however authorized by practice, ought to be discarded."

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Etymology of 'Impropriety'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Impropriety" Quotes from Famous Books

... I sometimes even have doubts of the existence of God," Levin could not help saying, and he was horrified at the impropriety of what he was saying. But Levin's words did not, it seemed, make much impression on ...

— Anna Karenina • Leo Tolstoy

... The impropriety of the thing struck him at once, and he replied, "You are right, Julia; but I perceive that something has given you offence; if it be my appearance, I tell you that I can afford you a satisfactory explanation. Proceed now—I ...

— The Tithe-Proctor - The Works of William Carleton, Volume Two • William Carleton

... Agnes began to sing, it seemed as if Mr. Harrington's taste was quite as "odd" and "old-fashioned" as that of the "dear old papa" himself; for he was guilty of the impropriety of not hearing what Miss Evelina was saying to him, and soon rose and took his stand by the piano, where he showed very plainly that he had no ear for any other sound than that ...

— Lewie - Or, The Bended Twig • Cousin Cicely

... no longer in Sir Percival's service, I may, without impropriety, mention my former mistress by her name, instead of calling her my lady) was the first to come in from her own bedroom. She was so dreadfully alarmed and distressed that she was quite useless. The Count Fosco, and his lady, who came upstairs immediately afterwards, were ...

— The Woman in White • Wilkie Collins

... were possible for parents to take upon themselves the physical sufferings entailed on their children by ignorance and awkwardness; and that while bearing these evil consequences they visited on their children certain other evil consequences, with the view of teaching them the impropriety of their conduct. Suppose that when a child, who had been forbidden to meddle with the kettle, spilt boiling water on its foot, the mother vicariously assumed the scald and gave a blow in place of it; and similarly in all ...

— Essays on Education and Kindred Subjects - Everyman's Library • Herbert Spencer

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