conceit

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: C1 — Advanced

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun feelings of excessive pride
  2. noun an elaborate poetic image or a far-fetched comparison of very dissimilar things
  3. noun a witty or ingenious turn of phrase

Etymology

From Middle English conceyte, formed from conceyven by analogy with pairs such as (Modern English) deceive~deceit, receive~receipt etc. Doublet of concept and concetto. Akin to Portuguese conceito.

In classic literature

Synonyms

amour propre, self-love, vanity

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