proprietor

[pruh-prahy-i-ter] /prəˈpraɪ ɪ tər/
noun
1.
the owner of a business establishment, a hotel, etc.
2.
a person who has the exclusive right or title to something; an owner, as of real property.
3.
a group of proprietors; proprietary.
Origin
1630-40; propriet(ary) + -or2
Related forms
proprietorial
[pruh-prahy-i-tawr-ee-uh l, -tohr-] /prəˌpraɪ ɪˈtɔr i əl, -ˈtoʊr-/ (Show IPA), adjective
proprietorially, adverb
proprietorship, noun
nonproprietor, noun
Examples from the web for proprietor
  • He went down from his apartment to a small café to ask the perplexed proprietor for some coffee grounds.
  • If this story was about a one property hotel with a sole proprietor, few would complain about them replacing their workers.
  • The customer can be an individual, a proprietor, a partner ship firm or a corporate body.
  • The department must give a copy of them to the proprietor of every on-site eating establishment.
  • Wording of proprietor's statement and of internal revenue officer's certificate.
British Dictionary definitions for proprietor

proprietor

/prəˈpraɪətə/
noun
1.
an owner of an unincorporated business enterprise
2.
a person enjoying exclusive right of ownership to some property
3.
(US, history) a governor or body of governors of a proprietary colony
Derived Forms
proprietorship, noun
proprietorial (prəˌpraɪəˈtɔːrɪəl) adjective
proprietress, proprietrix, noun:feminine
Word Origin and History for proprietor
n.

1630s, "owner, by royal grant, of an American colony," probably from proprietary (n.) in sense "property owner" (late 15c., see proprietary). In general sense of "one who holds something as property" it is attested from 1640s.