One who owns or owns and manages a business or other such establishment.
[Probably alteration of Middle English proprietarie; see proprietary.] pro·pri'e·to'ri·al (-tôr'ē-əl, -tōr'-) adj., pro·pri'e·to'ri·al·ly adv., pro·pri'e·tor·ship' n.
1639, "owner, by royal grant, of an American colony," probably from proprietary (n.) in sense "property owner" (1473, see proprietary). In general sense of "one who holds something as property" it is attested from 1645.
A firm with a single owner, chiefly one who acts as the manager of the business. Income, expenses, taxes, liability for debts, and contractual obligations are inseparable with respect to differentiating the owner from the business. Compare corporation, partnership. See also unlimited liability.
Main Entry: pro·pri·e·tor Pronunciation: pr&-'prI-&-t&r Function: noun : one who has legal right or exclusive title to something :OWNER; also: one (as a lessee) having an interest (as control or present use) less than absolute or exclusive right
Main Entry: pro·pri·e·tor·ship Function: noun 1: the fact or state of being a proprietor 2: a business entity consisting of a single owner :SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP —compare CORPORATION, PARTNERSHIP