Main Entry: ¹pro·pri·e·tary

Pronunciation: \prə-ˈprī-ə-ˌter-ē\

Function: noun

Inflected Form(s): plural pro·pri·e·tar·ies

Etymology: Middle English propietarie, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin propietarius, from Late Latin, adjective

Date: 15th century

1 : one that possesses, owns, or holds exclusive right to something; specifically : proprietor 1
2 : something that is used, produced, or marketed under exclusive legal right of the inventor or maker; specifically : a drug (as a patent medicine) that is protected by secrecy, patent, or copyright against free competition as to name, product, composition, or process of manufacture
3 : a business secretly owned by and run as a cover for an intelligence organization