Emily Dickinson Lexicon

IM-PROB-A-BIL'I-TY, n. [See Improbable.]

The quality of being improbable, or not likely to be true; unlikelihood.

IM-PROB'A-BLE, a. [Sp. Fr. from L. improbabilis; in and probabilis, from probo, to prove.]

Not likely to be true; not to be expected under the circumstances of the case. It is always improbable that men will knowingly oppose their own interest; yet the fact is possible. It is improbable that snow will fall in July, but not incredible.

IM-PROB'A-BLY, adv.

1. In a manner not likely to be true.
2. In a manner not to be approved. [Obs.] Boyle.

IM'PRO-BATE, v.t. [L. improbo.]

To disallow; not to approve. [Not used.] Ainsworth.

IM-PRO-BA'TION, n.

The act of disapproving. [Not in use.] Ainsworth.

IM-PROB'I-TY, n. [L. improbitas; in and probitas, from probo, to approve.]

That which is disapproved or disallowed; want of integrity or rectitude of principle; dishonesty. A man of known improbity is always suspected, and usually despised.

IM-PRO-DUC'ED, a.

Not produced. [Not in use.] Ray.

IM-PRO-FI'CIEN-CY, n.

Want of proficiency. Bacon.

IM-PROF'IT-A-BLE, a.

Unprofitable. [Not in use.] Elyot.

IM-PRO-GRES'SIVE, a.

Not progressive.

IM-PROMP'TU, adv. [L. in promptu, in readiness, from promptus, ready, quick.]

Off hand; without previous study; as, a verse uttered or written impromptu.

IM-PROMP'TU, n.

A piece made off hand, at the moment, or without previous study; an extemporaneous composition.

IM-PROP'ER, a. [L. improprius; in and proprius, prosper.]

1. Not proper; not suitable; not adapted to its end; unfit; as, an improper medicine for a particular disease; an improper regulation.
2. Not becoming; not decent; not suited to the character, time or place; as improper conduct in church; improper behavior before superiors; an improper speech.
3. Not according to the settled usages or principles of a language; as, an improper word or phrase.
4. Not suited to a particular place or office; unqualified; as, he is an improper man for the office.

IM-PROP'ER-LY, adv.

1. Not fitly; in a manner not suited to the end; in a manner not suited to the company, time, placo and circumstances; unsuitably; incongruously.
2. In a manner not according with established usages; inaccurately; ungrammatically; as, to speak or write improperly.

IM-PRO-PI'TIOUS, a.

Not propitious; unpropitious. Wotton. [The latter is the word in use.]

IM-PRO-POR'TION-A-BLE, a.

Not proportionable. [Little used.] B. Jonson.

IM-PRO-POR'TION-ATE, a.

Not proportionate; not adjusted. [Little used.] Smith.

IM-PRO'PRI-ATE, a.

Devolved into the hands of a layman.

IM-PRO'PRI-ATE, v.t. [L. in and proprius, proper.]

1. To appropriate to private use; to take to one's self; as, to impropriate thanks to one's self. [Not used.] Bacon.
2. To annex the possessions of the church or a benefice to a layman. Spelman. [“The Money-god in Aristophanes pretends a command from Jupiter to distribute as great a largess to the wicked, as to the good; because, if vertue should once impropriate riches, that faire Goddesse would be more wooed for her dowry, than for her native beauty.” Archbishop Sancroft's Modern Policies, edit. 5 Lond. 1654. 12mo. – E. H. B.]

IM-PRO'PRI-A-TED, pp.

1. Appropriated to one's self. [See Appropriated.]
2. Put in possession of a layman.

IM-PRO'PRI-A-TING, ppr.

1. Appropriating to one's self.
2. Annexing to a lay proprietor.

IM-PRO-PRI-A'TION, n.

1. The act of putting an ecclesiastical benefice into the hands of a layman. Ayliffe.
2. The benefice impropriated.

IM-PRO'PRI-A-TOR, n.

A layman who has possession of the lands of the church or an ecclesiastical living. Ayliffe.

IM-PRO-PRI'ETY, n. [Fr. improprieté, from L. improprius. See Improper.]

1. Unfitness; unsuitableness to character, time, place or circumstances; as, impropriety of behavior or manners. Levity of conduct is an impropriety in a religious assembly and at a funeral. Rudeness or forwardness in young persons before their superiors, is impropriety. Indecency and indecorum are improprieties.
2. Inaccuracy in language; a word or phrase not according with the established usages or principles of speaking or writing. Many gross improprieties, however authorized by practice, ought to be discarded. Swift

IM-PROS-PER'I-TY, n.

Unprosperity; want of success. Naunton.