proprietor Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun (law) someone who owns (is legal possessor of) a business
    owner.
    • he is the owner of a chain of restaurants

WordNet

Pro*pri"e*tor noun
Etymology
For older proprietary: cf. F. propriétarie.
Definitions
  1. One who has the legal right or exclusive title to anything, whether in possession or not; an owner; as, the proprietor of farm or of a mill.

Webster 1913