Emily Dickinson Lexicon

PRIDE, n. [Sax. pryt, pryde; D. prat, proud.]

1. Inordinate self-esteem; an unreasonable conceit of one's own superiority in talents, beauty, wealth, accomplishments, rank or elevation in office, which manifests itself in lofty airs, distance, reserve, and often in contempt of others. Martial pride looks down on industry. – T. Dawes. Pride goeth before destruction. – Prov. xvi. Pride that dines on vanity, sups on contempt. – Franklin. All pride is abject and mean. Johnson. Those that walk in pride he is able to abase. – Dan. iv.
2. Insolence; rude treatment of others; insolent exultation. That hardly we escap'd the pride of France. – Shak.
3. Generous elation of heart; a noble self-esteem springing from a consciousness of worth. The honest pride of conscious virtue. – Smith.
4. Elevation; loftiness. A falcon tow'ring in her pride of place. – Shak.
5. Decoration; ornament; beauty displayed. Whose lofty trees yclad with summer's pride. – Spenser. Be his this sword / Whose ivory sheath, inwrought with curious pride, / Adds graceful terror to the wearer's side. – Pope.
6. Splendid show; ostentation. In this array, the war of either side / Through Athens pass'd with military pride. – Dryden.
7. That of which men are proud; that which excites boasting. I wilt cut off the pride of the Philistines. – Zech. ix. Zeph. iii.
8. Excitement of the sexual appetite in a female beast. – Shak.
9. Proud persons. – Ps. xxxvi.