Proud, a.

[compar. PROUDER; superl. PROUDEST.] [O. Eng. prout, A-S. prût, Icel. prûdr, urbane, civil, handsome; Dan. prud, handsome; D. prat, preutsch, proud, prudish.]

1Sense 1. Feeling or manifesting pride, in a good or bad sense; as, (a.) Possessing or showing inordinate self esteem; overrating one's excellences; claiming excessive deference or consideration; hence, arrogant; haughty; supercilious; presumptuous. “O death made proud with pure and princely beauty.” Shak.

A foe so proud will not the weaker seek. Milton.

(b.) Ready to boast; contented; elated;—often with of; as, proud of one's country.

2Sense 2. Giving reason or occasion for pride, self-gratulation, or boasting; grand; splendid; noble; magnificent; ostentatious;—rarely, exuberant. “An olive tree . . . of shadow proud.” Chapman. “Proud titles.” Shak. “Storms of stones from the proud temple's height.” Dryden.

3Sense 3. Excited by the animal appetite;—applied particularly to the female of some animals.

A breeding jennet, lusty, young, and proud. Shak.

☞ Proud is sometimes used in the formation of self-explaining compounds; as, proud-crested, proud-hearted, proud-minded, proud-swelling.

Proud flesh (Med.), a fungous growth or excrescence of flesh in a wound or ulcer.