adj. 1 feeling greatly honoured or pleased (am proud to know him; proud of his friendship). 2 a (often foll. by of) valuing oneself, one's possessions, etc. highly, or esp. too highly; haughty; arrogant (proud of his ancient name). b (often in comb.) having a proper pride; satisfied (house-proud; proud of a job well done). 3 a (of an occasion etc.) justly arousing pride (a proud day for us; a proud sight). b (of an action etc.) showing pride (a proud wave of the hand). 4 (of a thing) imposing; splendid. 5 slightly projecting from a surface etc. (the nail stood proud of the plank). 6 (of flesh) overgrown round a healing wound. 7 (of water) swollen in flood. do proud colloq. 1 treat (a person) with lavish generosity or honour (they did us proud on our anniversary). 2 (refl.) act honourably or worthily. proud-hearted haughty; arrogant. proudly adv. proudness n.
[ OE prut, prud f. OF prud, prod oblique case of pruz etc. valiant, ult. f. LL prode f. L prodesse be of value (as PRO-(1), esse be) ]