mid-15c., "proper character, disposition," from Old French proprieté "individuality, peculiarity; property" (12c.), from Latin proprietatem (nominative proprietas) "appropriateness," also "ownership" (see property). Meaning "fitness, appropriateness" is attested from 1610s; sense of "conformity to good manners" is from 1782.
实用例句
1. In male company, perhaps he did overstep the bounds of propriety.
在清一色男性的公司里，可能他的举止确实有失得体。
来自柯林斯例句
2. His marriage and family life is a model of propriety.
他的婚姻和家庭生活都是规规矩矩的。
来自柯林斯例句
3. Nobody questioned the propriety of her being there alone.
没人认为她只身出现在那里不得体。
来自《权威词典》
4. We hesitated at the propriety of the method.
我们对这种办法是否适用拿不定主意.
来自《简明英汉词典》
5. The sensitive matter was handled with great propriety.