Prŏp'er-ty1, n.
n. [Fr. propriété, Pr. proprietat, Pg. propriedade, Sp. propiedad, It. proprietà, proprietá, Lat. proprietas. See supra.]
Sense 1. That which is proper to any thing; a peculiar quality of any thing; that which is inherent in a subject, or naturally essential to it.
Property is correctly a synonym for peculiar quality; but it is frequently used as co-extensive with quality in general. Sir W. Hamilton.
In physical science, the properties of matter are distinguished into the three following classes: 1. The physical properties of matter, or those which result from the relations of bodies to the physical agents, light, heat, electricity, gravitation, cohesion, adhesion, &c., and which are exhibited without a change in the composition or kind of matter acted on. They are color, luster, opacity, transparency, hardness, sonorousness, density, crystalline form, solubility, capability of osmotic diffusion, vaporization, boiling, fusion, &c. 2. The chemical properties of matter, or those which originate or terminate in the exercise of chemical affinity; thus, the explosive power of gunpowder, the combustibility of wood, the solubility of metals in acids, are chemical properties. 3. The organoleptic properties of matter, forming a class which can not be included in either of the other two divisions. They manifest themselves in the contact of substances with the organs of taste, touch, and smell, or otherwise affect the living organism, as in the manner of medicines and poisons. The term organoleptic has been appropriately applied to these by M. Chevreul.
Sense 2. An acquired or artificial quality; that which is given by art or bestowed by man; as, the poem has the properties which constitute excellence.
Sense 3. That which is peculiar to any person; that which belongs exclusively to an individual; that to which a person has a legal title, whether in his possession or not; thing owned.
Sense 4. The exclusive right of possessing, enjoying, and disposing of a thing; ownership.
Shall man assume a property in man? Wordsworth.
Sense 5. Possession held in one's own right. Dryden.
Sense 6. An estate, whether in lands, goods, or money; as, a man of large property, or small property.
Sense 7. Nearness or participation.
Here I disclaim all my paternal care, Propinquity and property of blood. Shak.
Sense 8. A piece of land with the appurtenant buildings.
I shall confine myself to such properties as fall within the reach of daily observation. Edwards.
Sense 9. (pl.) The dresses and appendages used in a theater, the keeper of which is still called the property-man. [Obs.] Toone.
I will draw a bill of properties. Shak.
Sense 10. Propriety. [Obs.] Camden.
Literary property, the exclusive right of printing, publishing, and making profit by one's own writings.