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Pride

3 stages from Late Latin to English.

Today it means a feeling of satisfaction; arrogance

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

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

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.