vainglory

plural vainglories

1. countableuncountableExcessive vanity.

   For I dare boldly say, vainglory, that opinion of merit, and this enforced necessity, when they know not otherwise how to leave, or what better to do with them, is the main cause of most of our good works.

   1621, Democritus Junior [pseudonym; Robert Burton], The Anatomy of Melancholy, Gutenberg edition, Project Gutenberg, published 2004

2. countableuncountableBoastful, unwarranted pride in one's accomplishments or qualities.

   Then he reasoned, as he had in the days past, that the course of human history had shown national pride—the inflexible kind—to be mankind’s worst enemy, and ordinary people paid the price in suffering. Nations had gone down because of vainglory, when moderation might have civilized and saved them.

   1962, Arthur Hailey, “Chapter Eleven: The White House”, in In High Places (fiction)

3. countableuncountableVain, ostentatious display.

   The pew would soon want new flooring, Mr. Dangerfield thought, and the Castlemallard arms and supporters, a rather dingy piece of vainglory, overhanging the main seat on the wall, would be nothing the worse of a little fresh gilding and paint.

   1863, Sheridan Le Fanu, The House by the Churchyard

4. countableuncountableA regarding of oneself with undue favor.

present singular third person vainglories · participle present vainglorying · participle past vaingloried · past vaingloried

1. intransitiveTo boast; to act in a vain manner.