Both Uses of
propriety
in
Moby Dick
- What under the heavens he did it for, I cannot tell, but his next movement was to crush himself—boots in hand, and hat on—under the bed; when, from sundry violent gaspings and strainings, I inferred he was hard at work booting himself; though by no law of propriety that I ever heard of, is any man required to be private when putting on his boots.†
Chpt 4-6
- If you have never seen that sight, then suspend your decision about the propriety of devil-worship, and the expediency of conciliating the devil.†
Chpt 64-66 *
Definition:
-
(propriety) socially correct or appropriate behavior