• Pride

    Pronunciation

    • IPA: /pɹaɪd/
    • Rhymes: -aɪd
    • Homophones: pried

    Origin

    From Middle English pride, from Old English prȳde, prȳte ("pride") (compare Old Norse prýði ("bravery, pomp")), derivative of Old English prūd ("proud").

    Full definition of pride

    Noun

    pride

    (countable and uncountable; plural prides)
    1. The quality or state of being proud; inordinate self-esteem; an unreasonable conceit of one's own superiority in talents, beauty, wealth, rank etc., which manifests itself in lofty airs, distance, reserve and often contempt of others.
    2. (often with of or in) A sense of one's own worth, and abhorrence of what is beneath or unworthy of one; lofty self-respect; noble self-esteem; elevation of character; dignified bearing; proud delight; -- in a good sense.He took pride in his work.He had pride of ownership in his department.
      • unknown date MacaulayA people which takes no pride in the noble achievements of remote ancestors will never achieve anything worthy to be remembered with pride by remote descendants.
      • unknown date William BlakeThe pride of the peacock is the glory of God.
    3. Proud or disdainful behavior or treatment; insolence or arrogance of demeanor; haughty bearing and conduct; insolent exultation; disdain; hubris.
      • unknown date G. K. Chesterton, Introduction to Aesop's FablesPride goeth before the fall.
    4. That of which one is proud; that which excites boasting or self-gratulation; the occasion or ground of self-esteem, or of arrogant and presumptuous confidence, as beauty, ornament, noble character, children etc.
      • unknown date Spenserlofty trees yclad with summer's pride
      • unknown date Bible, Zech. ix. 6I will cut off the pride of the Philistines.
      • unknown date Goldsmitha bold peasantry, their country's pride
    5. (zoology) The small European lamprey species .
    6. Show; ostentation; glory.
      • unknown date ShakespearePride, pomp, and circumstance of glorious war.
    7. Highest pitch; elevation reached; loftiness; prime; glory,
      • to be in the pride of one's life.
      • unknown date Shakespearea falcon, towering in her pride of place
    8. Consciousness of power; fullness of animal spirits; mettle; wantonness.
    9. Lust; sexual desire; especially, excitement of sexual appetite in a female beast.
    10. (zoology) A company of lions.

    Synonyms

    Related terms

    Verb

    1. (reflexive) To take or experience pride in something, be proud of it.I pride myself on being a good judge of character, but pride goes before the fall and I'm not a good judge of my own character so I'm often wrong without knowing it.

    Anagrams

    © Wiktionary