Definition of: impropriate

(im·prō′prē·āt) v.t. ·at·ed, ·at·ing
To transfer (ecclesiastical property or revenues) to laymen.
—adjective (-prē·it) Vested or placed in the hands of a layman; impropriated. [<Med. L impropriatus, pp. of impropriarẹ take as one's own <L in- on + proprius one's own]
—im·pro′pri·a′tion noun
—im·pro′· pri·a′tor noun