proud English · revision 2973

+ {{infobox|confidence=probable|formation=borrowing|attested=c. 1000|origins=la prōdesse}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /praʊd/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|enm|proud]],^(Barnhart 1988) [[inh|ang|prūd]] and prūt,^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(Hoad 1986) probably [[bor|fro|prud|t=brave, valiant]], the oblique case of [[m|fro|prouz]] (modern French preux),^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(MWU 2024) from [[la-lat|prōde|t=advantageous, profitable]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) from [[la|prōdesse|t=to be useful]],^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986) from [[m|la|prōd-]], a form of [[m|la|prō-]], and [[m|la|esse|t=to be]].^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) The Old English form in -t was probably influenced by [[pride]], Old English prȳte.^(Etymonline) It is related to [[prowess]] and [[prude]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) and to [[improve]].^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Having a high opinion of oneself, haughty: about 1000,^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989) and in late Old English also “excellent, splendid”.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The sense “having a high opinion of oneself” is not found in Old French; it may reflect what the English thought of the Norman knights who called themselves ''prud''.^(Etymonline) Middle English ''prude'' meant “noble, splendid” about 1150,^(Barnhart 1988) and “valiant” in the 14th century.^(Hoad 1986) “Feeling honoured, elated by something done to one” is from about 1250,^(OED 1989) and the stately or grand sense, of things, from the 13th century.^(Hoad 1986) ''Proud of'' is from 1422,^(OED 1989) and justifiable self-respect from 1738.^(OED 1989) ''Proud flesh'', swollen tissue round a healing wound, dates from late Middle English,^(NODE 1998) and in the 16th century the adjective also meant “swollen, overgrown”.^(Hoad 1986) ''Do someone proud'' is from 1819.^(Etymonline) The surname Proudfoot is recorded about 1200, and Middle English ''pitcher-proud'' meant “drunk and belligerent”.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 1000 – haughty, arrogant.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)

+ * c. 1150 – noble, splendid.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * c. 1250 – elated, feeling honoured.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1422 – ''proud of''.^(OED 1989)

+ * 16th century – swollen, overgrown.^(Hoad 1986)

+ * 1738 – having self-respect.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1819 – ''do someone proud''.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Feeling pleasure or satisfaction in something one has done or is connected with.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # Having proper [[self-respect]].^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # Having too high an opinion of oneself; [[arrogant]].^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # Stately or [[magnificent]].^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # ''(chiefly British)'' Slightly projecting from a surface.^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ===Adverb===

+ # ''do someone proud'': to treat someone very well.^(AHD)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[proudly]]

+ * [[proudness]]

+ * [[misproud]]

+ * [[proudful]]

+ * [[proudhearted]]

+ * [[unproud]]

+ * [[purse-proud]]

+ * [[house-proud]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[pride]]

+ * [[prude]]

+ * [[prideful]]

+ * [[prowess]]

+ * [[improve]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ The American Heritage Dictionary contrasts ''proud'', which can suggest dignity or justifiable self-respect, with ''arrogant'', ''haughty'', ''disdainful'' and ''supercilious'', which all imply contempt for others.^(AHD)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}