orgulous

American  

[awr-gyuh-luhs, ‑guh‑] / ˈɔr gyə ləs, ‑gə‑ /

adjective

1. Archaic. haughty; proud.

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orgulous British  

/ ˈɔːɡjʊləs /

adjective

1. archaic proud

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Usage

What does orgulous mean? Orgulous is an adjective meaning proud or haughty (arrogantly snobby). Orgulous is an archaic term, meaning it’s very rarely used anymore. You’re more likely to encounter it in older literary works than in everyday conversation. It was used by William Shakespeare, Virginia Woolf, and James Joyce, for example. Example: These orgulous aristocrats wouldn’t dare to be seen mingling with commoners.

Other Word Forms

• orgulously adverb

Etymology

Origin of orgulous

First recorded in 1200–50; Middle English orguillous, orguilleus, from Old French orgueillos, equivalent to orgueil “pride” (earlier orgoil, from unattested Germanic urgōlī; compare Old High German urguol “outstanding,” Old English orgol “pride”) + -os adjective suffix ( see -ous)

Explanation

Someone who's orgulous is haughty or self-satisfied. Use this old-fashioned word to describe the most arrogant snob you know, and they'll probably pretend to know what it means. The only place you're likely to come across the word orgulous is in a very old book. Shakespeare used it to describe some prideful Greek royals in Troilus and Cressida, referring to them as "the princes orgulous." Considered obsolete or literary today, orgulous is an Old English word that derives from the Old French orgoill, "pride."

Example Sentences

That shall not need, said Sir Launcelot, for an I were as orgulous set as ye are, wit you well I should meet you in midst of the field.

From Le Mort d'Arthur: Volume 2 by Malory, Thomas, Sir

Contrast with this Japanese sage that orgulous hidalgo who, in black velvet, defies modern Prussia from one of Velasquez's canvases in Berlin.

From Yet Again by Beerbohm, Max, Sir

For this I tell thee," said Sir Lancelot, as they sat together under an apple-tree, "there be many good fighters that are false knights, breaking faith with man and woman, envious, lustful and orgulous.

From The Blue Flower by Van Dyke, Henry

So when Sir Gawaine was hurt, they on King Arthur's party were not so orgulous as they were toforehand to do battle.

From Le Mort d'Arthur: Volume 2 by Malory, Thomas, Sir

When Modred defied him, the archbishop departed, and "did the curse in the most orgulous wise that might be done."

From Studies from Court and Cloister: being essays, historical and literary dealing mainly with subjects relating to the XVIth and XVIIth centuries by Stone, J. M. (Jean Mary)