Proper fraction

Proper fraction
Proper Prop"er, a. [OE. propre, F. propre, fr. L. proprius. Cf. {Appropriate}.] [1913 Webster] 1. Belonging to one; one's own; individual. ``His proper good'' [i. e., his own possessions]. --Chaucer. ``My proper son.'' --Shak. [1913 Webster]

Now learn the difference, at your proper cost, Betwixt true valor and an empty boast. --Dryden. [1913 Webster]

2. Belonging to the natural or essential constitution; peculiar; not common; particular; as, every animal has his proper instincts and appetites. [1913 Webster]

Those high and peculiar attributes . . . which constitute our proper humanity. --Coleridge. [1913 Webster]

3. Befitting one's nature, qualities, etc.; suitable in all respect; appropriate; right; fit; decent; as, water is the proper element for fish; a proper dress. [1913 Webster]

The proper study of mankind is man. --Pope. [1913 Webster]

In Athens all was pleasure, mirth, and play, All proper to the spring, and sprightly May. --Dryden. [1913 Webster]

4. Becoming in appearance; well formed; handsome. [Archaic] ``Thou art a proper man.'' --Chaucer. [1913 Webster]

Moses . . . was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child. --Heb. xi. 23. [1913 Webster]

5. Pertaining to one of a species, but not common to the whole; not appellative; -- opposed to {common}; as, a proper name; Dublin is the proper name of a city. [1913 Webster]

6. Rightly so called; strictly considered; as, Greece proper; the garden proper. [1913 Webster]

7. (Her.) Represented in its natural color; -- said of any object used as a charge. [1913 Webster]

{In proper}, individually; privately. [Obs.] --Jer. Taylor.

{Proper flower} or {Proper corolla} (Bot.), one of the single florets, or corollets, in an aggregate or compound flower.

{Proper fraction} (Arith.) a fraction in which the numerator is less than the denominator.

{Proper nectary} (Bot.), a nectary separate from the petals and other parts of the flower. -- {Proper noun} (Gram.), a name belonging to an individual, by which it is distinguished from others of the same class; -- opposed to {common noun}; as, John, Boston, America.

{Proper perianth} or {Proper involucre} (Bot.), that which incloses only a single flower.

{Proper receptacle} (Bot.), a receptacle which supports only a single flower or fructification. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Proper fraction — Fraction Frac tion, n. [F. fraction, L. fractio a breaking, fr. frangere, fractum, to break. See {Break}.] 1. The act of breaking, or state of being broken, especially by violence. [Obs.] [1913 Webster] Neither can the natural body of Christ be… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • proper fraction — n a ↑fraction such as ¾, in which the number above the line is smaller than the one below it →↑improper fraction …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • proper fraction — noun count a FRACTION in which the number above the line is smaller than the number below the line, for example ¼ …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • proper fraction — ► NOUN ▪ a fraction that is less than one, with the numerator less than the denominator …   English terms dictionary

  • proper fraction — n. Math. a fraction in which the numerator is less, or of lower degree, than the denominator, as 2/ 5 or x/x2 …   English World dictionary

  • proper fraction — noun a fraction with a numerator smaller than the denominator • Hypernyms: ↑fraction • Hyponyms: ↑decimal fraction, ↑decimal * * * ˌproper ˈfraction 7 [proper fraction] …   Useful english dictionary

  • proper fraction — UK / US noun [countable] Word forms proper fraction : singular proper fraction plural proper fractions maths a fraction in which the number above the line is smaller than the number below the line, for example ¼ …   English dictionary

  • proper fraction — fraction whose top number is smaller than the bottom …   English contemporary dictionary

  • proper fraction — noun A vulgar fraction in which the magnitude of the numerator is less than or equal to that of the denominator, such as 2/3. Ant: improper fraction …   Wiktionary

  • proper fraction — noun (C) a fraction such as ¾ in which the number above the line is smaller than the one below it compare improper fraction …   Longman dictionary of contemporary English

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