proprietor

pro·pri·e·tor

noun \prə-ˈprī-ə-tər\

Definition of PROPRIETOR

1

: one granted ownership of a colony (as one of the original American colonies) and full prerogatives of establishing a government and distributing land

2

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

Examples of PROPRIETOR

1. She is the proprietor of the store.
2. <the proprietor of a used-car dealership>

Origin of PROPRIETOR

alteration of ¹proprietary

First Known Use: 1637

Related to PROPRIETOR

Synonyms: holder, owner, possessor

Related Words: co-owner, coproprietor; landlord, landowner

Near Antonyms: squatter; lessee, renter, tenant

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