I. ˈvȯnt, -ä-, -ȧ- verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle English vaunten, from Middle French vanter, from Late Latin vanitare, from Latin vanitas vanity — more at vanity
intransitive verb
: to make a vain display especially of one's own worth or attainments : talk vaingloriously : brag
strutted and vaunted before the girls
transitive verb
: to boast of : make a vainglorious display of : put forward boastfully
propaganda literature vaunted the successes of … scientist — F.L.O'Dea
ye vaunted your fathomless power, and ye flaunted your iron pride — Rudyard Kipling
Synonyms: see boast
II. noun
( -s )
1. : a vainglorious display of what one is or has or has done : ostentation
2. : a bragging assertive speech : loud boast
may the vaunts and menace of the vengeful enemy pass like the gust — S.T.Coleridge
III. noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle French avant before, forward — more at avaunt (hence)
1. obsolete : the front part
2. obsolete : the foremost ranks of an army : van