a. [f. BOAST sb. + -FUL.]

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  1.  Of words or actions: Full of boasting.

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c. 1325.  Coer de L., 3827. Bostful wurdes for to crake.

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c. 1440.  Bone Flor., 270. My doghtur gete ye noght, For all yowre bostefull fare.

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1599.  Shaks., Hen. V., IV. Cho. Steed threatens Steed, in high and boastfull Neighs.

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1867.  Emerson, Lett. & Soc. Aims, vii. (1875), 171. We have had enough of these boastful recitals.

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  2.  Of persons, or things personified: Given to boasting, ostentatious, self-praising. Const. in, of.

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c. 1380.  Wyclif, Sel. Wks., I. 2. Þis riche man was boostful in speche.

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1486.  Bk. St. Albans, Her., A v a. That he be not to bostfull of his manhod.

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1779.  Johnson, L. P., Wks. 1816, X. 20. Boastful of his own knowledge.

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1859.  W. Whitmore, G. Marlowe & Other Poems, 10.

        Time wears to dust the boastful monuments;
He frowns upon the Proud and blots their names.

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  † 3.  ? Menacing. Obs.

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1382.  Wyclif, 2 Sam. xii. 31. [David] sawede the puple of it, and ladde about upon hem boostful yren carris.

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