IMPROPER Copy link • IMPROPER☞ improprius is post-Augustan, but used as a regular grammaticaltechnical term by Quintilian, with reference to words: ἄκυρος; opposed to proprius; e.g., nomen, tropus: so cognomen, Plin., etc. Not suitable or adapted to an end, inutilis (unserviceable; general term), for anything, alicui rei, or, more commonly, ad aliquid: non idoneus (not suitable or adapted; for anything, ad or [seldom] in aliquid): ad aliquid non aptus (not fit): inhabilis (not manageable; hence not proper), alicui rei or ad aliquid (all four of persons or things): alienus (foreign to the purpose in hand; hence unfavorable, and so not proper; especially of time and place): for anything, alicui rei or ab aliqua re. Not becoming, indecorus: indignus (unworthy). To be improper, indecorum esse; dedecere or non decere aliquem; indignum esse aliquo. It does not seem improper to mention, etc., non indignum videtur... memorare (Sall.). Wrong, Vid.