overweening etymology

Etymology:

  • Over: From Middle English "overe," meaning "above, beyond"
  • Weening: From Old English "wēnen," meaning "to think, suppose"

Meaning:

  • Excessive or arrogant pride or confidence

Origin:

The term "overweening" originated in the 14th century. It initially meant "to presume or think too highly of oneself," with a connotation of arrogance and self-importance. Over time, the meaning evolved to refer to any excessive or inflated pride or confidence.

Usage:

"Overweening" is typically used in a negative or critical sense to describe someone who is excessively proud or confident in their abilities or actions. It implies an inflated sense of self-worth that is often not justified or supported by reality.

Examples:

  • The salesman had an overweening belief in his ability to close any deal.
  • The politician's overweening ambition led him to make reckless decisions.
  • She had an overweening sense of entitlement that made it difficult to work with her.

overweening relate terms

  • ween

    Etymology Old English Wæn meaning wagon or cart Proto Germanic Wagonaz Indo Eur

  • over

    Etymology The word over derives from the Middle English over which in turn stems fr

  • excessive

    Etymology The word excessive derives from Middle English excessif which itself comes

  • extravagant

    Etymology The word extravagant comes from the Late Latin word extravagans which mea

  • exuberant

    Etymology Latin exuberant is from exuberare meaning to overflow to be abundant

  • presumptuous

    Etymology Presumptuous comes from the Latin word praesumo which means to take somet

  • outrage

    Etymology The word outrage comes from the Old French word outrage meaning an act of

  • jolly

    Etymology The word jolly comes from the Middle English word joly which in turn comes

  • touch

    Etymology Middle English touchin from Old French toucher from Latin tangere meanin

  • adept

    Etymology The word adept is derived from the Latin word adeptus which means one who

  • gender

    Etymology The word gender derives from the Latin word genus which means kind or t

  • mercurial

    Etymology Latin mercurialis from Greek hermaion from Greek Hermes the Greek