1. (a.) Belonging to one; one's own; individual.

2. (a.) Belonging to the natural or essential constitution; peculiar; not common; particular; as, every animal has his proper instincts and appetites.

3. (a.) 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.

4. (a.) Becoming in appearance; well formed; handsome.

5. (a.) 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.

6. (a.) Rightly so called; strictly considered; as, Greece proper; the garden proper.

7. (a.) Represented in its natural color; -- said of any object used as a charge.

8. (adv.) Properly; hence, to a great degree; very; as, proper good.