gloriousadj.
/ˈɡlɔːrɪəs/, U.S. /ˈɡlɔriəs/ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > pride > vainglory > [adjective]
gloriousa1382
vainglorious?a1500
self-flatteringa1586
self-exalting1601
self-applauding1614
self-praised1626
self-flattered1647
self-glorying1659
self-exalted1668
self-gratulating1755
self-congratulating1774
self-congratulatory1798
self-applausivea1805
self-gratulatory1818
self-exaltative1821
a1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(1)) (1850) Prov. xxv. 14 A man glorious and the behestes not fulfillende.
c1440 York Myst. xvi. 19 I am fairer of face þan glorius gulles þat [etc.].
c1530 W. Tyndale Prol. Jonas (1863) A vj b Ande one yt cast out deuels in Christes name they [the apostles] forbade because he wayted not on them, so glorious were they yet.
1577 J. Brooke tr. Guido Staffe Christian Faith Pref. sig. Aiv A sort and heape of glorious deceiuers, which hyde and boast themselues.
1612 F. Bacon Ess. (new ed.) 225 They that are glorious, must needs be factious; for all brauery stands vpon comparisons.
1654 E. Wolley tr. ‘G. de Scudéry’ Curia Politiæ 25 If they [Princes] are..gay and glorious, they are reviled as incompassionate.
1692 tr. C. de Saint-Évremond Misc. Ess. 13 Whether..Posterity, glorious throughout, were desirous that their Ancestors should be Masters of Vertues, when they were not of Greatness.
a1734 R. North Examen (1740) i. ii. §32. 46 After he was possessed of the Great Seal, he was in Appearance the gloriousest Man alive.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > wish or inclination > desire > aspiration or ambition > [adjective] > ambitious > for honour or rank
ambitiousc1384
climbing1561
glorious1609
timocratic1852
timocratical1871
1609 W. Shakespeare Pericles i. 9 The purchase is to make men glorious . View more context for this quotation
a1625 J. Fletcher Pilgrim iv. ii, in F. Beaumont & J. Fletcher Comedies & Trag. (1647) sig. Hhhhh3/1 I am not watchfull to doe ill, Nor glorious to pursue it still.
1705 T. Hearne Ductor Historicus (ed. 2) I. iii. 459 He always left such to Heroes as were purely Glorious.
3. † c. In non-laudatory sense: Conducive to reputation. Obsolete.
a. Of persons and things: Possessing glory; entitled to brilliant and lofty renown, illustrious. spec. As an epithet of: (a) the ‘First of June’, the date of a sea battle between the British and French in 1794, ending in victory for the British; (b) the ‘Twelfth’ of August [twelfth adj. 1c] ; (c) (U.S.) the ‘Fourth’ (of July).Now somewhat rare; the modern use as applied to persons (e.g. in ‘Glorious John’ as a designation of Dryden) belongs to sense 5 (The AF. Coronation Oath of 1307 speaks of ‘le glorious Rei Seynt Edward’.)
ΘΚΠ
the world > the supernatural > deity > Christian God > nature or attributes of God > [adjective] > glorious
glorious13..
all-glorious1599
the mind > attention and judgement > esteem > reputation > fame or renown > famous or eminent person > [adjective]
mereeOE
athelOE
couthOE
brightOE
namecundc1175
outnumenc1175
noble?c1225
ketec1275
sheenc1275
tirfulc1275
glorious13..
losedc1305
of great renownc1330
glorifieda1340
worthly or worthy in wonea1350
clearc1374
nameda1382
solemna1387
renomeda1393
famous?a1400
renomé?a1400
renowneda1400
notedc1400
of (great, high, etc.) name?c1430
celebrate?1440
namely1440
famosec1449
honourable?c1450
notedc1450
parent?c1450
glorificatec1460
heroical?a1475
insignite?a1475
magnific1490
well-fameda1492
exemie1497
singular1497
preclare1503
magnificential1506
laureate1508
illustre?a1513
illustred1512
magnificent1513
preclared1530
grand1542
celebrated1549
heroicc1550
lustrantc1550
magnifical1557
illustrate1562
expectablec1565
ennobled1571
laurel1579
nominated1581
famosed1582
perspicuous1582
big1587
famed1595
uplifted1596
illustrious1598
celebrousc1600
luculent1600
celebrious1604
fameful1605
famoused1606
renownful1606
bruitful1609
eminent1611
insignious1620
clarousa1636
far-fameda1640
top1647
grandee1648
signalized1652
noscible1653
splendid1660
voiced1661
gloried1671
laurelled1683
distinguished1714
distinct1756
lustrious1769
trumpeted1775
spiry1825
world-famous1832
galactic1902
tycoonish1958
mega1987
13.. K. Alis. 7441 Now is ded kyng Porus, Alisaunder is kyng glorious.
?a1400 Morte Arth. 1 Grett glorious Godd, thurgh grace of hym selvene..Schelde us ffro schamesdede and synfulle werkes.
1483 W. Caxton in tr. J. de Voragine Golden Legende 174/1 Saynt austyn preched a glorious sermone & declared there to the kynge the crysten feythe openlye.
a1500 (a1460) Towneley Plays (1994) I. iii. 32 My name is of dignyté, And also full glorius.
a1513 W. Dunbar Poems (1998) I. 277 Quhilk grant the glorious trinite.
1604 E. Grimeston tr. J. de Acosta Nat. & Morall Hist. Indies i. i. 2 The glorious Crysostome (a man better seene in the studie of holy Scriptures, then in the knowledge of Philosophie).
1660 T. Blount Boscobel 1 Charles the Second, undoubted heir of Charles the First, of Glorious Memory.
1721 J. Swift Let. to Pope 10 Jan. in Lett. Dr. Swift (1741) 17 I will tell you what my political Principles were in the time of her late glorious Majesty.
1794 (title) Songs, Duetts, Choruses, &c. In a New and Appropriate Entertainment. Called The Glorious First of June.
1827 H. W. Longfellow in S. Longfellow Life H. W. Longfellow (1891) I. viii. 121 We did not celebrate the ‘glorious Fourth’ here.
1841 E. W. Lane tr. Thousand & One Nights I. 88 He answered, O glorious King, it hath been said, by the ancients [etc.].
1854 W. G. Simms Southward Ho! xiii. 253 Our dinner on the glorious Fourth was worthy of the occasion.
1871 R. Ellis tr. Catullus Poems xxxiv. 23 Still keep safely the glorious Race of Romulus olden.
1879 M. Arnold in Poems of Wordsworth Pref. p. xxvi He is one of the very chief glories of English Poetry; and by nothing is England so glorious as by her poetry.
1895 E. G. Mackenzie In Grouseland xvii. 125 The glorious twelfth! Despite critical politics, the continuous fine weather and the certainty of sport has again filled all the saloon carriages bound northward.
1896 Congr. Rec. 5422/1 Waving the stars and stripes on the Glorious Fourth.
1899 W. L. Clowes Royal Navy IV. xxxv. 230 (heading) The Glorious first of June.
1948 Miami (Okla.) Daily News-Record 4 July 1/5 Where are Miami's glorious fourths of yesteryear?
1966 Chambers's Encycl. V. 660/2 The Glorious First of June..the name given to a sea battle of the French revolutionary war.
1971 D. Ayerst Guardian xxx. 468 With the ‘glorious twelfth’ only three days off politicians were deserting Westminster for the grouse moors.
b. Of an achievement, action, circumstance, state of things, etc.: Conferring glory; entitling to brilliant and lofty renown; conspicuously honourable. Const. to.
ΚΠ
1548 Hall's Vnion: Henry V f. xlix For this day by famous death or glorious victory I wyl wynne honor.
?1577 J. Northbrooke Spiritus est Vicarius Christi: Treat. Dicing 16 It is glorious when the Preachers are certaine of their doctrine which they teach.
1656 B. Harris tr. J. N. de Parival Hist. Iron Age i. i. viii. 14 Which followed close upon the glorious Battel (but with small fruit) of Lepante.
1659 D. Pell Πελαγος 56 It is one of the gloriousest works in the world, to have an hand in..the saving of a soul.
1709 R. Steele Tatler No. 66 The great and glorious Victory obtained over the Enemy on the 11th Instant.
1774 Ld. Chesterfield Lett. (1792) I. ii. 5 As it is more difficult to express one's thoughts in verse than in prose, the being capable of doing it is more glorious.
1789 in Sir J. Sinclair's Corr. (1831) II. 282 The surrender of Oczakow, an event so remarkable in the history of Russia, and so glorious to the hero.
1849 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. II. vi. 147 He..declared that..he should think it glorious to die in his sovereign's cause.
ΚΠ
1665 R. Boyle Occas. Refl. v. iv. sig. Kk5v And though a needless Ostentation of ones Excellencies may be more glorious, a modest Concealment of them is usually more safe.
4. Splendid in beauty or richness of adornment. Now only with emotional connotation as in 5. †Formerly also in a weaker sense, of textures, colours, etc.: Brilliant, shining, lustrous.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > beauty > splendour > [adjective] > magnificent
lordlylOE
richc1275
prouda1300
noblec1300
gloriousc1315
reala1325
rialc1330
stouta1350
solemnc1386
royalc1400
pompousc1425
statelyc1425
lordlike1488
magnific1490
of state1498
magnificenta1530
pompatic1535
magnificala1538
princely1539
gorgeous?1542
regal1561
superbious?1566
surly1566
splendent1567
heroical1577
superbous1581
sumptuous1594
pompatical1610
pompal1616
fastidious1638
grand1673
splendid1685
grandific1727
grandiose1818
splendiferous1827
splendacious1843
magnolious1863
c1315 Shoreham 128 The gloriouse beerde [sc. our levedy], Out of thyse world the gloriouse ferde Wyth greate melodye.
1390 J. Gower Confessio Amantis III. 114 Mars the planet bataillous Next to the sonne glorious.
a1396 G. Chaucer To Rosemounde 3 For as the crystal glorious ye shyne, And lyke ruby ben your chekes rounde.
c1400 (?c1380) Pearl l. 914 As þou art gloryous withouten galle.
c1420 Anturs of Arth. 366 Here gide was glorious and gay, of a gresse grene.
1509 J. Fisher Mornynge Remembraunce Countesse of Rychemonde (de Worde) sig. Biii v It [sc. the body] shall ryse bryght & gloryous.
1535 Bible (Coverdale) 2 Macc. viii. 35 He put of his glorious rayment, fled by see, and came alone to Antioche.
1590 E. Spenser To Lady Carew in Faerie Queene sig. Pp8 Those glorious ornaments of heuenly grace.
1609 W. Shakespeare Troilus & Cressida i. iii. 89 The glorious planet Sol. View more context for this quotation
1664 H. Power Exper. Philos. i. 1 The Iris (as vibrissant and glorious as a Cat's eye) most admirable to behold.
1664 H. Power Exper. Philos. i. 43 So clear and glorious a body as glass.
1665 R. Hooke Micrographia 169 The colours..must necessarily be very glorious, vivid and cleer, like those of Silk and Feathers.
a1687 W. Petty Polit. Arithm. (1690) Pref. Notwithstanding all this..the Buildings of London grow great and glorious.
1732 G. Berkeley Alciphron I. v. xii. 286 The glorious Light of the Gospel.
1792 Sequel Adventures Munchausen v. 88 The sun shone glorious on the water.
1807 W. Wordsworth Ode in Poems II. 148 The sunshine is a glorious birth. View more context for this quotation
1860 J. Tyndall Glaciers of Alps i. ix. 62 All conspired to render the scene glorious.
1866 G. MacDonald Ann. Quiet Neighb. (1878) xxvii. 470 The heavens were glorious with stars.
5.
a. Used vaguely as a rapturous expression of admiration or delight: Splendid, magnificent, intensely delightful. Now often with jocular hyperbole.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > goodness and badness > quality of being good > excellence > [adjective] > and splendid
wlonkOE
clear1362
wlonkfulc1400
royalc1425
imperial?1435
magnificousa1474
splendidious?a1475
triumphant1494
glorious1622
aureate1625
candid1648
splendid1653
magnifico1654
magnificent1664
dazzling1749
splendiferous1827
angeliferous1837
million-dollar1854
purple1894
colossal1895
(like) a million dollars (also bucks)1911
swell1926
1622 J. Mabbe tr. M. Alemán Rogue ii. 216 As a good Chine of Bacon, makes glorious porrige.
1772 T. Nugent tr. P. J. Grosley Tour to London I. 44 Which casual appearance [of the sun] procures the Londoners a few of what they call glorious days.
1816 ‘Quiz’ Grand Master vii. 24 They call a servant, and require, Immediately, a glorious fire.
1821 W. Scott Pirate II. i. 14 ‘You forget glorious John,’ said Mordaunt. ‘Ay, glorious you may well call him.’
1853 E. K. Kane U.S. Grinnell Exped. (1856) xli. 375 What a glorious feed for the scurvy-stricken ships.
1863 M. Howitt tr. F. Bremer Greece & Greeks I. viii. 263 What glorious afternoons and evenings have I spent at Phalerus!
1875 W. S. Hayward Love against World 11 ‘What glorious fun’ said Florence.
b. ironical phrase.According to Gentl. Mag. (1830) Aug. 98/1, the phrase was first used at a dinner of the Judges and Counsel about 1756, when after the toast of ‘the glorious memory of King William’ had been drunk, a Mr. Wilbraham proposed ‘the glorious uncertainty of the law’, in sarcastic allusion to Ld. Chief Justice Mansfield's bold overruling of former decisions.
ΚΠ
1779 C. Macklin Love Alamode ii. 20 The Law is a sort of Hocus Pocus, that smiles in your Face although it pick your Pocket and the glorious Uncertainty of it is of more Use to the Professors than the Justice of it.
1803 Sheridan in Parl. Hist. (1820) XXXVI. 1204 The glorious uncertainty of the law, was a thing well known and complained of, by all ignorant people, but all learned gentlemen considered it as its greatest excellency.
1811 J. Adams Wks. (1854) IX. 630 When I applied the epithet ‘glorious’ to the uncertainty of politics, I meant it ironically, as we say the ‘glorious uncertainty of the law’.
1900 N.E.D. at Glorious Mod. The glorious uncertainty of cricket.
6. jocularly. Ecstatically happy from drink.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > drink > thirst > excess in drinking > [adjective] > drunk > partially drunk
merrya1382
semi-bousyc1460
pipe merry1542
totty1570
tipsy1577
martin-drunk1592
pleasant1596
mellow1611
tip-merry1612
flustered1615
lusticka1616
well to live1619
jolly1652
happy1662
hazy1673
top-heavy1687
hearty1695
half-seas-over1699
oiled1701
mellowish1703
half channelled over1709
drunkish1710
half-and-half1718
touched1722
uppisha1726
tosie1727
bosky1730
funny1751
fairish1756
cherry-merry1769
in suds1770
muddy1776
glorious1790
groggified1796
well-corned1800
fresh1804
to be mops and brooms1814
foggy1816
how-come-ye-so1816
screwy1820
off the nail1821
on (also, esp. in early use, upon) the go1821
swipey1821
muggy1822
rosy1823
snuffy1823
spreeish1825
elevated1827
up a stump1829
half-cockedc1830
tightish1830
tipsified1830
half shaved1834
screwed1837
half-shot1838
squizzed1845
drinky1846
a sheet in the wind1862
tight1868
toppy1885
tiddly1905
oiled-up1918
bonkers1943
sloshed1946
tiddled1956
hickey-
1790 R. Burns Tam o' Shanter 57 in Poems & Songs (1968) II. 559 Kings may be blest, but Tam was glorious, O'er a' the ills o' life victorious!
1836 E. Howard Rattlin lii As fast as one man could be..flogged into sobriety, another would become glorious.
1844 W. M. Thackeray Barry Lyndon ii. ii, in Fraser's Mag Nov. 591/2 I was taken up ‘glorious’, as the phrase is, by my servants, and put to bed.
Compounds
Quasi-adv.
glorious-doing adj.
ΚΠ
1670 T. Brooks Wks. (1867) VI. 324 The most glorious-doing Christian.
glorious-sounding adj.
ΚΠ
1768 J. Boswell Acct. Corsica (ed. 2) iii. 214 Fame's glorious-sounding trumpet breath.
glorious-talking adj.
ΚΠ
1662 A. Cokayne Trag. Ovid iv. i. 78 in Poems My glorious talking Captain, I shall not Be won with empty words.
Draft additions 1993
Glorious Revolution n. the ‘Revolution’ of 1688 in England (see revolution n. 9a).
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > lack of subjection > rebelliousness > revolution > [noun] > specific revolutions > in England in 1688
revolution1689
Glorious Revolution1716
1716 T. Bradbury Sermon preach'd November 5 4 The first amazing Kindness that's inscribed upon the Fifth of November..is the Discovery of the Powder-Plot... But you know he hath put a new Song into our mouths, by making it again a time of Love: as it usher'd in the Glorious Revolution.
1827 Hallam Const. Hist. II. xiv. 429 What has been emphatically denominated in the language of our public acts the Glorious Revolution.
1920 P. Guedalla Supers & Supermen 103 In the Great Rebellion the King left by the front door; in the Glorious Revolution he emerged from the tradesmen's entrance.
1986 Library Mar. 40 In Europe the peculiar constitutional arrangements deriving from the Glorious Revolution became a matter of intense interest to political philosophers.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1900; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adj.13..