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Improper vs Dismal - What's the difference?

improper | dismal | Related terms |

Improper is a related term of dismal.


As adjectives the difference between improper and dismal

is that improper is unsuitable to needs or circumstances; inappropriate; inapt while dismal is disappointingly inadequate.

As a verb improper

is (obsolete|transitive) to appropriate; to limit.

improper

English

Alternative forms

* impropre (obsolete)

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • unsuitable to needs or circumstances; inappropriate; inapt
  • Not in keeping with conventional mores or good manners; indecent or immodest
  • Not according to facts; inaccurate or erroneous
  • Not consistent with established facts; incorrect
  • Not properly named; See, for example, improper fraction
  • (obsolete) Not specific or appropriate to individuals; general; common.
  • * J. Fletcher
  • Not to be adorned with any art but such improper ones as nature is said to bestow, as singing and poetry.

    Derived terms

    * improper divisor * improper face * improper fit * improper fraction * improper integral * improper motion * improper node * improper orthogonal transformation * improper rotation * improper use * improper workmanship

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • (obsolete) To appropriate; to limit.
  • * Jewel
  • He would in like manner improper and inclose the sunbeams to comfort the rich and not the poor.
  • (obsolete) To behave improperly
  • (Webster 1913)

    dismal

    English

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Disappointingly inadequate.
  • * {{quote-news, year=2012, date=April 22, author=Sam Sheringham, work=BBC Sport
  • , title= Liverpool 0-1 West Brom , passage=Liverpool's efforts thereafter had an air of desperation as their dismal 2012 league form continued.}}
  • Gloomy and bleak.
  • Depressing.
  • *, chapter=12
  • , title= Mr. Pratt's Patients , passage=So, after a spell, he decided to make the best of it and shoved us into the front parlor. 'Twas a dismal sort of place, with hair wreaths, and wax fruit, and tin lambrekins, and land knows what all. It looked like a tomb and smelt pretty nigh as musty and dead-and-gone.}}

    Usage notes

    * Nouns to which "dismal" is often applied: failure, performance, state, record, place, result, scene, season, year, economy, future, fate, weather, news, condition, history.

    Synonyms

    * See also

    Derived terms

    * dismal science