improperly-connected
|im-pro-per-ly-con-nect-ed|
🇺🇸
/ɪmˈprɑpərli kəˈnɛktɪd/
🇬🇧
/ɪmˈprɒpəli kəˈnɛktɪd/
(improperly connected)
joined wrongly
Etymology
'connected' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'connectere', where 'con-' meant 'together' and 'nectere' meant 'to bind'. 'improperly' originates from Latin 'improprius' (via Old French 'impropre'), where the prefix 'in-/im-' meant 'not' and 'proprius' meant 'own' or 'proper'.
'connect' changed from Latin 'connectere' to Old French 'connecter' and Middle English forms such as 'connecten', eventually becoming the modern English 'connect'. 'improper' passed from Latin 'improprius' into Old French 'impropre' and Middle English 'improper', later forming the adverb 'improperly' with the suffix '-ly'.
Initially, 'connectere' meant 'to bind together' and evolved into 'connect' meaning 'to join or link'; 'improper' originally meant 'not appropriate' and its adverb form retained that sense. Together, the compound came to mean 'joined or associated in an incorrect or inappropriate way.'
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
physically or technically joined in a way that is incorrect or faulty (e.g., wiring, plugs, joints).
The lamp was improperly-connected, which caused it to flicker and sometimes lose power.
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Adjective 2
figuratively linked or associated in an inappropriate, incorrect, or illogical way (e.g., ideas, names, evidence).
His name was improperly-connected to the scandal by a rumor that had no evidence.
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Last updated: 2025/08/16 04:46