pride

pride [prīd]

n.

[ME < OE pryte < prut, PROUD]

1.

a) an unduly high opinion of oneself; exaggerated self-esteem; conceit

b) haughty behavior resulting from this; arrogance

2. proper respect for oneself; sense of one's own dignity or worth; self-respect

3. delight or satisfaction in one's own or another's achievements, in associations, etc.

4. a person or thing in which pride is taken

5. the best of a class, group, society, etc.; pick; flower

6. the best part; prime [in the pride of manhood]

7. mettle (in a horse)

8.

a) a group or family (of lions)

b) Informal any impressive group

9. Archaic

a) magnificence; splendor

b) ornament

10. Obs. sexual desire

vt.

prided, priding

Rare to make proud

to make proud

——————

pride oneself on

to be proud of

prideful

adj.

pridefully

adv.

pridefulness

n.

SYN.- PRIDE refers either to a justified or excessive belief in one's own worth, merit, superiority, etc. [she takes pride in her accuracy ]; CONCEIT always implies an exaggerated opinion of oneself, one's achievements, etc. [blinded by her overweening conceit]; VANITY suggests an excessive desire to be admired by others for one's achievements, appearance, etc. [his vanity is wounded by criticism ]; VAINGLORY implies extreme conceit as manifested by boasting, swaggering, arrogance, etc. [the vainglory of a conquering general ]; SELF-ESTEEM implies a high opinion of oneself, often higher than is held by others

-ANT. HUMILITY