The act of impropriating; as, the impropriation of property or tithes; especially, (Eng. Eccl. Law.) (a.) The act of putting an ecclesiastical benefice in the hands of a layman, or lay corporation. (b.) A benefice in the hands of a layman, or of a lay corporation; — said to be so called from its being improperly held thus.
That which is appropriated, as thanks, or ecclesiastical property.