proud

Where does the word "proud" come from? It comes from Late Latin prode, passing through Old French before entering English (1000s).

Proud’s story begins in Late Latin: prode meant “advantageous.” A Late Latin form from 'prodesse', to be of use. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as prud. Old English borrowed it as 'prud'. It reached English by 1000s as proud. One of the earliest French borrowings, taken into Old English as 'prud' before 1066. Today, proud means feeling pride.

1. Stage 1 · Late Latin · ancient prode "advantageous", a Late Latin form from 'prodesse', to be of use.
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval prud "valiant", Old English borrowed it as 'prud'.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1000s proud "arrogant; valiant", one of the earliest French borrowings, taken into Old English as 'prud' before 1066.