Proud a. [Compar. Prouder superl. Proudest.]
1. Feeling or manifesting pride, in a good or bad sense; as: (a) Possessing or showing too great self-esteem; overrating one's excellences; hence, arrogant; haughty; lordly; presumptuous.
Nor much expect
A foe so proud will first the weaker seek. --Milton.
O death, made proud with pure and princely beauty ! --Shak.
And shades impervious to the proud world's glare. --Keble.
(b) Having a feeling of high self-respect or self-esteem; exulting (in); elated; -- often with of; as, proud of one's country. “Proud to be checked and soothed.”
Are we proud men proud of being proud ? --Thackeray.
2. Giving reason or occasion for pride or self-gratulation; worthy of admiration; grand; splendid; magnificent; admirable; ostentatious. “Of shadow proud.” --Chapman. “Proud titles.” --Shak. “ The proud temple's height.”
Till tower, and dome, and bridge-way proud
Are mantled with a golden cloud. --Keble.
3. Excited by sexual desire; -- applied particularly to the females of some animals.
Note: ☞ Proud is often used with participles in the formation of compounds which, for the most part, are self-explaining; as, proud-crested, proud-minded, proud-swelling.
Proud flesh Med., a fungous growth or excrescence of granulations resembling flesh, in a wound or ulcer.
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