pride

Where does the word "pride" come from? It comes from Late Latin prode, passing through Old French before entering English (1100s).

Pride’s story begins in Late Latin: prode meant “advantageous, useful.” A Late Latin back-formation from 'prodesse', to be of use. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as prud. English took it early and built the noun 'pride' natively. It reached English by 1100s as pride. One of the seven deadly sins; 'a pride of lions' dates from the 1400s. Today, pride means a feeling of satisfaction; arrogance.

1. Stage 1 · Late Latin · ancient prode "advantageous, useful", a Late Latin back-formation from 'prodesse', to be of use.
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval prud "proud, valiant", English took it early and built the noun 'pride' natively.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1100s pride "arrogance", one of the seven deadly sins; 'a pride of lions' dates from the 1400s.