different between seemliness vs propriety

English

Etymology

From Middle English semelynes, semlynesse, equivalent to seemly +? -ness.

Noun

seemliness (countable and uncountable, plural seemlinesses)

1. (uncountable) The property of being seemly, appropriateness of conduct or behavior.
   • 1919, W. Somerset Maugham, The Moon and Sixpence, ch. 10

     Her black dress, simple to austerity, suggested her bereaved condition, and I was innocently astonished that notwithstanding a real emotion she was able to dress the part she had to play according to her notions of seemliness.

2. (countable) The result or product of being seemly.

Antonyms

• unseemliness

Translations

Anagrams

• semilenses

English

Etymology

From Late Middle English propriete (“ownership”), borrowed from Anglo-Norman propreté, Middle French proprieté, from Latin propriet?s. Doublet of property.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /p???p?a??ti/
• Rhymes: -a??ti

Noun

propriety (countable and uncountable, plural proprieties)

1. (obsolete) The particular character or essence of someone or something; individuality. [15th-20th c.]
2. (obsolete) A characteristic; an attribute. [15th-20th c.]
3. (now rare) A piece of land owned by someone; someone's property. [from 16th c.]
4. (obsolete) More generally, something owned by someone; a possession. [16th-19th c.]
   • 1723, Charles Walker, Memoirs of the Life of Sally Salisbury:

     I was fearful of giving You a very sensible Disgust, in making You seem the Propriety of one Man, when You know Yourself ordained for the Comfort and Refreshment of Multitudes.

5. The fact of possessing something; ownership. [from 16th c.]
6. (now rare) Correct language or pronunciation. [from 17th c.]
7. Suitability, fitness; the quality of being appropriate. [from 18th c.]
   • 1773, Oliver Goldsmith, She Stoops to Conquer

     I find such a pleasure, sir, in obeying your commands, that I take care to observe them without ever debating their propriety.

   • 1850, Edward Ralph May, "Speech on African American Suffrage"

     Now, if we may, with propriety, refer to the people one question, why may we not, with equal propriety, refer another?

8. (often in the plural) Correctness in behaviour and morals; good manners, seemliness. [from 19th c.]
   • 1811, Jane Austen, Sense and Sensibility, Chapter 12:

     Elinor then ventured to doubt the propriety of her receiving such a present from a man so little, or at least so lately known to her.

Related terms

• proper

Translations

References

• "Propriety" at Dictionary.com