Proprietary Meaning
/pɹəˈpɹaɪ.ə.tə.ɹi/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
adjOf or relating to property or ownership.
adjOwning something; having ownership.
Sentence Examples
Our software is proprietary.
I never use proprietary software.
The only functional drivers for this hardware are proprietary.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
None
CEFR Practice Quiz
The company uses a ____ software system that only they can modify.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The company protected its ____ software with patents and refused to share the source code.
Word Origin & History
From French propriétaire, from Latin proprietārius. By surface analysis, propriety + -ary. Compare with the Latin proprietas (“property”) and proprius (“ownership”).
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"It was reported that the recipes for the secret sauce and grinder sandwiches were proprietary, known only to the current president of the corporation and the former owner of the restaurant."
— 1996, Michael Craig Budden, Protecting Trade Secrets under the Uniform Trade Secrets Act: Practical Advice for Executives, Westport, Conn.: Quorum Books, →ISBN, page 20:
"Wherefore what issue soever shall result from my mind , by his means most happily married to a retired life , must , of due , redound to his honour , as the sole proprietary of my pains during my present condition"
— 1647, Thomas Fuller, The Cause and Cure of a Wounded Conscience:
"For all practical purposes, the proprietaries conduct their own financial affairs with a minimum of oversight from CIA headquarters."
— 1975, Victor Marchetti, John D. Marks, The CIA and the Cult of Intelligence, page 159:
"The “operating proprietaries” actually do business as private firms. They are incorporated where they are officed, they file the applicable state and federal tax returns, and they obtain the licenses necessary to a legitimate business operation."
— 2013, Joseph Goulden, The Dictionary of Espionage: Spyspeak into English, page 175:
Explore More C1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The company uses a ____ software system that only they can modify.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The company protected its ____ software with patents and refused to share the source code.