property

plural properties · alternative propretie

1. countableuncountableSomething that is owned.

   Leave those books alone! They are my property.

   2 more examples

   Important types of property include real property (land), personal property (other physical possessions), and intellectual property (rights over artistic creations, inventions, etc.).

   A turban and loincloth soaked in blood had been found; also a staff. These properties were known to have belonged to a toddy drawer. He had disappeared.

   1927, F. E. Penny, chapter 4, in Pulling the Strings

2. countableuncountableA piece of real estate, such as a parcel of land.

   There is a large house on the property.

   1 more example

   He owns over ten properties in the country.

   Synonyms: land, parcel

3. UKcountableuncountableReal estate; the business of selling houses.

   He works in property as a housing consultant.

4. countableuncountableThe exclusive right of possessing, enjoying and disposing of a thing.
5. countableuncountableAn attribute or abstract quality associated with an individual, object or concept.

   Charm is his most endearing property.

   1 more example

   Furthermore, this increase in risk is comparable to the risk of death from leukemia after long-term exposure to benzene, another solvent, which has the well-known property of causing this type of cancer.

   2013 July-August, Philip J. Bushnell, “Solvents, Ethanol, Car Crashes & Tolerance”, in American Scientist

6. countableuncountableAn attribute or abstract quality which is characteristic of a class of objects.

   Matter can have many properties, including color, mass and density.

   1 more example

   Turbines have been around for a long time—windmills and water wheels are early examples. The name comes from the Latin turbo, meaning vortex, and thus the defining property of a turbine is that a fluid or gas turns the blades of a rotor, which is attached to a shaft that can perform useful work.

   2013 July-August, Lee S. Langston, “The Adaptable Gas Turbine”, in American Scientist

7. countableuncountablecomputingAn editable or read-only parameter associated with an application, component or class; especially (object-oriented programming) one that encapsulates an underlying variable.

   You need to set the debugging property to "verbose".

8. countableplural normallyuncountableentertainmentA prop, an object used in a dramatic production.

   Costumes and scenery are distinguished from property properly speaking.

   Synonyms: prop

9. UScountableuncountableA script, book, screenplay, or the like that is on the market or has been bought for commercial production as a stage play, movie, or the like.
   1. USbroadlycountablerareuncountableA produced stage play, movie, or the like.

      Is the property in which you are playing currently on Broadway – is it a musical?

      1961, Darren McGavin, quoted at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=onJF43xXG2o?t=1331

10. countableobsoleteuncountablePropriety; correctness.

    it is well knowne that I have the property to keepe counsaile

    1625, William Camden, translated by Abraham Darcie/Darcy, Annales Or, The History of the Most Renowned and Victorious Princesse Elizabeth Late Queen of England

present singular third person properties · participle present propertying · participle past propertied · past propertied · alternative propretie

1. obsoleteTo invest with properties, or qualities.

   His voyce was propertied As all the tuned Spheres, and that to Friends

   c. 1606–1607 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Anthonie and Cleopatra”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act V, scene ii]

2. obsoleteTo make a property of; to appropriate.

   Your grace shall pardon me, I will not back: I am too high-born to be propertied, To be a secondary at control, Or useful serving-man and instrument, To any sovereign state throughout the world.

   c. 1596 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Life and Death of King Iohn”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act V, scene ii]