a. and adv. Now arch. [f. VAUNT sb.1 + -FUL.] Boastful.
1590. Spenser, Muiopot., 54. Yong Clarion with vauntfull lustie hed After his guize did cast abroad to fare.
1608. Sylvester, Du Bartas, II. iv. Decay, 532. Rabsakeh … Thus braves the Hebrews and upbraids their Prince (Weening, them all with vaunt-full threats to snib).
1838. Tait’s Mag., V. 707. The English King forthwith entrusted to the vauntful captain his two sons.
1850. Blackie, Æschylus, II. 180. His lightnings and his thunders Recking no more—so speaks the vauntful tongue—Than vulgar noonday heat.
1890. Blackw. Mag., CXLVIII. 513. Invincible men call her [i.e., the Armada]:… Well won that vauntful title by the dread, That all around is by her coming spread.
b. As adv. Boastfully. rare–1.
a. 1814. A. Becket, Genii, i., in New Brit. Theatre, I. 499. Albeit the agent only Of him who bears it [a name] vauntful, man’s prime enemy.
