miles gloriosus

/ ˈmiːleɪs ˌɡlɔːrɪˈəʊsʊs /

noun

1. a braggart soldier, esp as a stock figure in comedy

Word History and Origins

Origin of miles gloriosus¹

from the title of a comedy by Plautus

Example Sentences

His heroes had no scruples in proclaiming their physical advantages and athletic prowess; Charles O’Malley, that typical Galway miles gloriosus, introduces himself with ingenuous egotism in the following passage:

From Project Gutenberg

The real truth seems to be, that had Falstaff, loose and unprincipled as he is, been born a Coward and bred a Soldier, he must, naturally, have been a great Braggadocio, a true miles gloriosus.

From Project Gutenberg

Full of the pedantry of his profession and fond of noble phrases, he is a kind of cross between Dugald Dalgetty and Ancient Pistol, with a slight relish of the miles gloriosus.

From Project Gutenberg