orgulous

American  

[awr-gyuh-luhs, ‑guh‑] / ˈɔr gyə ləs, ‑gə‑ /

adjective

1. Archaic. haughty; proud.

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orgulous British  

/ ˈɔːɡjʊləs /

adjective

1. archaic proud

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Usage

What does orgulous mean? Orgulous is an adjective meaning proud or haughty (arrogantly snobby). Orgulous is an archaic term, meaning it’s very rarely used anymore. You’re more likely to encounter it in older literary works than in everyday conversation. It was used by William Shakespeare, Virginia Woolf, and James Joyce, for example. Example: These orgulous aristocrats wouldn’t dare to be seen mingling with commoners.

Other Word Forms

• orgulously adverb

Etymology

Origin of orgulous

First recorded in 1200–50; Middle English orguillous, orguilleus, from Old French orgueillos, equivalent to orgueil “pride” (earlier orgoil, from unattested Germanic urgōlī; compare Old High German urguol “outstanding,” Old English orgol “pride”) + -os adjective suffix ( see -ous)

Explanation

Someone who's orgulous is haughty or self-satisfied. Use this old-fashioned word to describe the most arrogant snob you know, and they'll probably pretend to know what it means. The only place you're likely to come across the word orgulous is in a very old book. Shakespeare used it to describe some prideful Greek royals in Troilus and Cressida, referring to them as "the princes orgulous." Considered obsolete or literary today, orgulous is an Old English word that derives from the Old French orgoill, "pride."

Example Sentences

Who then but Talisso laughed his fierce and orgulous laugh as he rode at their head and they all hurled through the gates, and, clattering up the empty street, carried the castle out of hand?

From A Child's Book of Saints by Robinson, T. H. (Thomas Heath)

He stood quite still, a figure orgulous and splendent.

From Zuleika Dobson, or, an Oxford love story by Beerbohm, Max, Sir

Contrast with this Japanese sage that orgulous hidalgo who, in black velvet, defies modern Prussia from one of Velasquez's canvases in Berlin.

From Yet Again by Beerbohm, Max, Sir

And Talisso answered, with a peal of orgulous laughter: "Restless as the sea; insatiable as the grave."

From A Child's Book of Saints by Robinson, T. H. (Thomas Heath)

So when Sir Gawaine was hurt, they on King Arthur's party were not so orgulous as they were toforehand to do battle.

From Le Mort d'Arthur: Volume 2 by Malory, Thomas, Sir