Proud (?), a. [Compar. Prouder (?); superl. Proudest.] [OE. proud, prout, prud, prut, AS. prūt; akin to Icel. prūðr 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.

O death, made proud with pure and princely beauty !

And shades impervious to the proud world's glare.

(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 ?

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.

3. Excited by sexual desire; -- applied particularly to the females of some animals. Sir T. Browne.

&fist; 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.

• Feeling or manifesting pride, in a good or bad sense
  
• Possessing or showing too great self-esteem; overrating one's excellences; hence, arrogant; haughty; lordly; presumptuous.
  
• Having a feeling of high self-respect or self-esteem; exulting (in); elated; -- often with of; as, proud of one's country.
  
• Giving reason or occasion for pride or self-gratulation; worthy of admiration; grand; splendid; magnificent; admirable; ostentatious.
  
• Excited by sexual desire; -- applied particularly to the females of some animals.