different between proper vs great
proper
English
Alternative forms
- propre (obsolete)
Etymology
From Middle English propre, from Anglo-Norman proper, propre, Old French propre (French: propre), from Latin proprius.
Pronunciation
- (General Australian) IPA(key): /?p??p.?/
- (UK) IPA(key): /?p??p.?(?)/
- (US) enPR: präp??r, IPA(key): /?p??.p?/
- Rhymes: -?p?(?)
- Hyphenation: prop?er
Adjective
proper (comparative more proper, superlative most proper)
- (heading) Suitable.
- Suited or acceptable to the purpose or circumstances; fit, suitable. [13th c.]
- Following the established standards of behavior or manners; correct or decorous. [18th c.]
- This new-comer was a man who in any company would have seemed striking. […] Indeed, all his features were in large mold, like the man himself, as though he had come from a day when skin garments made the proper garb of men.
- Suited or acceptable to the purpose or circumstances; fit, suitable. [13th c.]
- (heading) Possessed, related.
- (grammar) Used to designate a particular person, place, or thing. Proper nouns are usually written with an initial capital letter. [14th c.]
- Pertaining exclusively to a specific thing or person; particular. [14th c.]
- , II.1.3:
- They have a proper saint almost for every peculiar infirmity: for poison, gouts, agues […].
- 1829, James Marsh, Preliminary Essay to Samuel Taylor Coleridge's Aids to Reflection
- those higher and peculiar attributes […] which constitute our proper humanity
- , II.1.3:
- (usually postpositive) In the strict sense; within the strict definition or core (of a specified place, taxonomic order, idea, etc).
- 1893, Annual of the Universal Medical Sciences:
- These are divided into two great families, the vipers proper (Viperidae) and the pit-vipers (Crotalidae).
- 1976, Eu-Yang Kwang, The political reconstruction of China, page 165:
- Siberia, though it stands outside the territorial confines of Russia proper, constitutes an essentially component part […] . Outer Mongolia, [so called] to distinguish it from Inner Mongolia, which lies nearer to China proper, revolted and declared its independence.
- 2004, Stress, the Brain and Depression, page 24:
- Hence, this border is still blurred, raising the question whether traumatic life events induce sadness/distress – which is self-evident – or depression proper and, secondly, whether sadness/distress is a precursor or pacemaker of depression.
- For more quotations using this term, see Citations:proper.
- 1893, Annual of the Universal Medical Sciences:
- (archaic) Belonging to oneself or itself; own. [14th c.]
- 1717, John Dryden, Meleager and Atalanta
- Now learn the difference, at your proper cost, / Betwixt true valour and an empty boast.
- , II.4.1.ii:
- every country, and more than that, every private place, hath his proper remedies growing in it, particular almost to the domineering and most frequent maladies of it.
- 1946, Bertrand Russell, A History of Western Philosophy, I.20:
- Each animal has its proper pleasure, and the proper pleasure of man is connected with reason.
- 1717, John Dryden, Meleager and Atalanta
- (heraldry) Portrayed in natural or usual coloration, as opposed to conventional tinctures. [16th c.]
- (mathematics) Being strictly part of some other thing (not necessarily explicitly mentioned, but of definitional importance), and not being the thing itself. [20th c.]
- (mathematics, physics) Eigen-; designating a function or value which is an eigenfunction or eigenvalue. [20th c.]
- (heading) Accurate, strictly applied.
- Excellent, of high quality; such as the specific person or thing should ideally be. (Now often merged with later senses.) [14th c.]
- (now regional) Attractive, elegant. [14th c.]
- 1526, William Tyndale, trans. Bible, Acts 7:
- The same tyme was Moses borne, and was a propper [transl. ??????? (asteîos)] childe in the sight of God, which was norisshed up in his fathers housse thre monethes.
- 1526, William Tyndale, trans. Bible, Acts 7:
- (often postpositive) In the very strictest sense of the word. [14th c.]
- (now colloquial) Utter, complete. [15th c.]
- Excellent, of high quality; such as the specific person or thing should ideally be. (Now often merged with later senses.) [14th c.]
Synonyms
- (fit, suitable): correct, right, apt, prudent, upright, sensible, fitting
- (correct, decorous): appropriate, decent, good, polite, right, well-mannered, upright
- (fitting, right): appropriate, just, honorable
- (complete, thorough): comprehensive, royal, sweeping, intensive
- (strictly, properly-speaking): strictly speaking, properly speaking, par excellence
- (true): full, complete
- (informal: utter): complete, right (informal), total, utter
Antonyms
- (fit, suitable): incorrect, wrong, bad, imprudent, insensible, improper
- (correct, decorous): inappropriate, indecent, bad, impolite, wrong, ill-mannered, unseemly
- (fitting, right): inappropriate, unjust, dishonorable
- (complete, thorough): partial, incomplete, superficial, slapdash
- (true): incomplete
Related terms
- appropriate
- propriety
- properly
Translations
See also
- proper adjective
- proper fraction
- proper noun
Adverb
proper (not comparable)
- (Britain, Australia, colloquial) properly; thoroughly; completely.
- 1964, Saint Andrew Society (Glasgow, Scotland), The Scots magazine: Volume 82
- Don't you think you must have looked proper daft?
- 1964, Saint Andrew Society (Glasgow, Scotland), The Scots magazine: Volume 82
- (nonstandard, colloquial) properly.
- 2012, Soufside, Hello (song)
- When I meet a bad chick, know I gotta tell her hello
- talk real proper, but she straight up out the ghetto
- 2012, Soufside, Hello (song)
Noun
proper (plural propers)
- (obsolete) Something set apart for a special use.
Anagrams
- per pro, propre
Catalan
Etymology
prop +? -er.
Pronunciation
- (Balearic) IPA(key): /p?o?pe/
- (Central) IPA(key): /p?u?pe/
- (Valencian) IPA(key): /p?o?pe?/
Adjective
proper (feminine propera, masculine plural propers, feminine plural properes)
- near, close
- Synonym: pròxim
- neighbouring
- next
- Synonym: següent
Synonyms
- (the coming day, week, year etc.): que ve, venint
Related terms
- prop
Further reading
- “proper” in Diccionari català-valencià-balear, Antoni Maria Alcover and Francesc de Borja Moll, 1962.
Danish
Etymology
Borrowed from French propre (“clean, house-trained, own”), from Latin proprius (“own”).
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): /pro?b?r/, [?p???o??b??]
Adjective
proper
- cleanly
- tidy
Inflection
Derived terms
- properhed ("cleanliness", "tidiness")
References
- “proper” in Den Danske Ordbog
Dutch
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): /?pro?.p?r/
- Hyphenation: pro?per
Etymology
From Middle Dutch proper, from Old French propre, from Latin proprius.
Adjective
proper (comparative properder, superlative properst)
- (chiefly Belgium) clean
Inflection
Synonyms
- netjes, rein, zindelijk.
- (Netherlands) schoon.
German
Etymology
Ultimately from Old French propre, from Latin proprius. Probably borrowed in north-western dialects via Middle Dutch proper [13th c., sense: 15th c.], later generalized under the influence of modern French propre. The colloquial euphemism for “chubby” may, in part, be due to association with Proppen (whence also proppenvoll and Wonneproppen).
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): /?p??p?/
Adjective
proper (comparative properer, superlative am propersten)
- (somewhat informal, dated) in good condition: clean; neat; well-kept; developed
- (colloquial, euphemistic) overweight; chubby
Declension
Further reading
- “proper” in Duden online
Old French
Adjective
proper m (oblique and nominative feminine singular proper)
- (rare) Alternative form of propre
- Or a mai entendez Ki proper volunté amez, Set Pechez 70
proper From the web:
- what properties does a conductor have
- what property of this wave is represented by the letter a
- what properties of bone prevent it from breaking
- what properties can michael buy
- what property of light is shown in the picture
- what property of neurons allows them to
- what are the properties of a conductor
great
English
Etymology
From Middle English greet (“great, large”), from Old English gr?at (“big, thick, coarse, massive”), from Proto-Germanic *grautaz (“big in size, coarse, coarse grained”), from Proto-Indo-European *g?rewd-, *g?er- (“to rub, grind, remove”). Cognate with Scots great (“coarse in grain or texture, thick, great”), West Frisian grut (“large, great”), Dutch groot (“large, stour”), German groß (“large”), Old English gr?ot (“earth, sand, grit”). Related to grit.
Pronunciation
- enPR: gr?t, IPA(key): /??e?t/
- Rhymes: -e?t
- Homophone: grate
Adjective
great (comparative greater, superlative greatest)
- Relatively large in scale, size, extent, number (i.e. having many parts or members) or duration (i.e. relatively long); very big.
- Of larger size or more importance than others of its kind.
- So the King made Daniel a great man […]
- (qualifying nouns of family relationship) Involving more generations than the qualified word implies — as many extra generations as repetitions of the word great (from 1510s). [see Derived terms]
- (obsolete, postpositive, followed by 'with') Pregnant; large with young; full of.
- the ewes great with young
- (obsolete, except with 'friend' and similar words such as 'mate','buddy') Intimate; familiar.
- 1625, Francis Bacon, Of Followers and Friends
- those that are so great with him
- 1625, Francis Bacon, Of Followers and Friends
- Extreme or more than usual.
- Of significant importance or consequence; important.
- “We are engaged in a great work, a treatise on our river fortifications, perhaps? But since when did army officers afford the luxury of amanuenses in this simple republic?”
- (applied to actions, thoughts and feelings) Arising from or possessing idealism; admirable; superior; commanding; heroic; illustrious; eminent.
- Impressive or striking.
- Much in use; favoured.
- (applied to persons) Endowed with extraordinary powers; of exceptional talents or achievements; uncommonly gifted; able to accomplish vast results; remarkable; strong; powerful; mighty; noble.
- Title referring to an important leader.
- Doing or exemplifying (a characteristic or pursuit) on a large scale; active or enthusiastic.
- (often followed by 'at') Skilful or adroit.
- (informal) Very good; excellent; wonderful; fantastic. [from 1848]
- (informal, Britain) Intensifying a word or expression, used in mild oaths.
Usage notes
Moderating adverbs such as fairly, somewhat, etc. tend not to be used with great. Some intensifiers can be used with some senses of great; for example, a very great amount, a very great man, the party was really great, though not *the party was very great.
Synonyms
- See also Thesaurus:large
- See also Thesaurus:excellent
- gr8, grt (Internet slang, text messaging)
Antonyms
- (very big, large scale): tiny
- (uncommonly gifted): mediocre, ordinary
Derived terms
Descendants
- ? Welsh: grêt
Translations
Interjection
great
- Expression of gladness and content about something.
- Great! Thanks for the wonderful work.
- 2016, VOA Learning English (public domain)
- I am in my new apartment! Great!
- I am in my new apartment! Great!
- sarcastic inversion thereof.
- Oh, great! I just dumped all 500 sheets of the manuscript all over and now I have to put them back in order.
Translations
Noun
great (plural greats)
- A person of major significance, accomplishment or acclaim.
- Newton and Einstein are two of the greats of the history of science.
- 2019, Daniel Taylor, Lionel Messi magic puts Barcelona in command of semi-final with Liverpool (in The Guardian, 1 May 2019)[3]
- Sadio Mané wasted a glorious chance in the first half and, late on, Mohamed Salah turned his shot against a post after a goal-line clearance had spun his way. That, in a nutshell, perhaps sums up the difference between Messi and the players on the next rung below – the ones who can be described as great footballers without necessarily being football greats.
- (music) The main division in a pipe organ, usually the loudest division.
- (in combinations such as "two-greats", "three-greats" etc.) An instance of the word "great" signifying an additional generation in phrases expressing family relationships.
- My three-greats grandmother.
Antonyms
- (person of major significance, accomplishment or acclaim): mediocre
Translations
Adverb
great (not comparable)
- (informal) Very well (in a very satisfactory manner).
- Those mechanical colored pencils work great because they don't have to be sharpened.
Translations
Anagrams
- 'Gater, Gater, Greta, ergat-, grate, retag, targe, terga
Old English
Etymology
From Proto-Germanic *grautaz (“big in size, coarse, coarse grained”), from Proto-Indo-European *ghrew?- (“to fell, put down, fall in”). Cognate with Old Saxon gr?t (“large, thick, coarse, stour”), Old High German gr?z (“large, thick, coarse”), Old English grot (“particle”). More at groat.
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): /?ræ???t/
Adjective
gr?at
- great, massive
- tall
- thick; stout
- coarse
Declension
Derived terms
- gr?atnes
Descendants
- Middle English: greet, grete
- English: great
- ? Welsh: grêt
- Scots: great, greet, grete, greit
- English: great
Scots
Alternative forms
- greet, grete, greit
Etymology
From Old English gr?at, from Proto-Germanic *grautaz.
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): [?r?t], [?r?t]
- (North Northern Scots) IPA(key): [?rit]
Adjective
great (comparative greater, superlative greatest)
- great
- coarse (in grain or texture)
- (of things) thick, bulky, roomy
- (of people) big, stout
- (of a river) swollen with rain, in flood
- (of the sea) high, stormy
- intimate, friendly
great From the web:
- what great teachers do differently
- what great lake is in chicago
- what great principals do differently
- what great grandma ate
- what greatly increases the capacity of the stomach
- what greater love than this
- what great white sharks eat
- what great lake is the deepest
you may also like
- proper vs great
- disturbance vs lunacy
- trip vs scuttle
- inform vs squawk
- rash vs frantic
- trip vs gallop
- earnest vs airy
- complete vs attain
- assemble vs proclaim
- carry vs deport
- insensible vs clodpated
- affecting vs doleful
- precipitate vs quicken
- nimbleness vs sagacity
- exception vs doubt
- disagreeing vs repugnant
- inconsonant vs capricious
- deception vs mistake
- dart vs stir
- detain vs seize