CONCEIT

n. 1 vanity, pride, egotism, self-esteem, self-admiration, self-love, narcissism, vainglory, amour propre; arrogance His conceit is matched only by his incompetence 2 fancy, whim, caprice Some have a conceit their drink tastes better / In an outlandish cup than their own 3 elaborate figure (of speech), affectation, strained or far-fetched metaphor A conceit would be calling the waves 'nodding hearse-plumes'