a. [a. F. arrogant (14th c.), ad. L. arrogāntem assuming, overbearing, insolent, pr. pple. of arrogāre: see ARROGATE and -ANT.] Making or implying unwarrantable claims to dignity, authority or knowledge; aggressively conceited or haughty, presumptuous, overbearing. (Used of men, their actions, manner, etc.)
c. 1386. Chaucer, Pers. T., ¶ 322. Arrogaunt, is he that thinketh that he hath thilke bountees in him, that he hath not.
1538. Starkey, England, 18. Some … juge al vyce and vertue only to consiste in the opinyon of man, wych ys arrogant blyndnes.
a. 1587. R. Glover, in Foxe, A. & M., III. 354. Master Chancellor here noted me to be arrogant, because I would not give place to my Bishop.
1796. Burke, Lett. Noble Ld., Wks. VIII. 72. It would be a most arrogant presumption in me to assume to myself the glory of what belongs to his majesty.
1872. Darwin, Emotions, xi. 264. The arrogant man looks down on others, and with lowered eyelids hardly condescends to see them.
† B. as sb. A proud, haughty person. Obs.
1489. Caxton, Faytes of Armes, I. i. 4. To represse the arrogaunts.
1668. Howe, Bless. Righteous, Wks. 1834, 230/2. Proud arrogants formed, by necessity and misery, into humble supplicants.
