Main Entry:

¹ap·pro·pri·ate

Pronunciation:

\ə-ˈprō-prē-ˌāt\

Function:

transitive verb

Inflected Form(s):

ap·pro·pri·at·ed; ap·pro·pri·at·ing

Etymology:

Middle English, from Late Latin appropriatus, past participle of appropriare, from Latin ad- + proprius own

Date:

15th century

1 : to take exclusive possession of : annex <no one should appropriate a common benefit> 2 : to set apart for or assign to a particular purpose or use <appropriate money for the research program> 3 : to take or make use of without authority or right

— ap·pro·pri·a·ble \-prē-ə-bəl\ adjective

— ap·pro·pri·a·tor \-prē-ˌā-tər\ noun