Proudest

Proud \Proud\, a. [Compar. {Prouder}; superl. {Proudest}.] [OE.
   proud, prout, prud, prut, AS. pr[=u]t; akin to Icel.
   pr[=u][eth]r stately, handsome, Dan. prud handsome. Cf.
   {Pride}.]
   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.
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                Nor much expect
                A foe so proud will first the weaker seek.
                                                  --Milton.
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                O death, made proud with pure and princely
                beauty !                          --Shak.
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                And shades impervious to the proud world's
                glare.                            --Keble.
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      (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."
          --Keble.
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                Are we proud men proud of being proud ?
                                                  --Thackeray.
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   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."
      --Dryden.
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            Till tower, and dome, and bridge-way proud
            Are mantled with a golden cloud.      --Keble.
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   3. Excited by sexual desire; -- applied particularly to the
      females of some animals. --Sir T. Browne.
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   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.
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   {Proud flesh} (Med.), a fungous growth or excrescence of
      granulations resembling flesh, in a wound or ulcer.
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