Main Entry:

pro·pri·e·tor

Pronunciation:

\prə-ˈprī-ə-tər\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

alteration of ¹proprietary

Date:

1637

1: one granted ownership of a colony (as one of the original American colonies) and full prerogatives of establishing a government and distributing land2 a: a person who has the legal right or exclusive title to something : owner b: one having an interest (as control or present use) less than absolute and exclusive right

— pro·pri·e·tor·ship \-ˌship\ noun