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.

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.'' --Keble.

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.'' --Dryden.

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. --Sir T. Browne.

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.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)