Word of the Week: vainglory (VĀN-glôr-ē)

Definition

(Noun) Glory that is vain, empty, or worthless; inordinate or unwarranted pride in one’s accomplishments or qualities; disposition or tendency to exalt oneself unduly; idle boasting or vaunting.

In Context

“Though there always will be soldiers and sailors ‘seeking the bubble reputation, even in the cannon’s mouth,’ it seems that the vainglory of individual commanders has lately become less dangerous in war, as improvements in the technology of communications and surveillance have increased the ability of senior commanders to control subordinate officers.”

Steven Weinberg, Lake Views: This World and the Universe, 2009.