self-esteemn.
/ˌsɛlfᵻˈstiːm/, U.S. /ˌsɛlfəˈstim/ 1. Good opinion of oneself; high self-regard; confidence in one's own worth or abilities. Also: one's own estimation or evaluation of oneself.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > pride > self-esteem > [noun]
conceit1548
self-estimation1574
self-conceit1576
self-worth1610
self-esteem1619
amour propre1775
self-estimate1817
1619 E. Coffin Refut. M. Ioseph Hall 353 His wit being so shallow, and selfe esteeme of his owne worth and works so great, that..he neuer more bragged then wher he had least cause.
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost viii. 572 Oft times nothing profits more Then self-esteem, grounded on just and right Well manag'd. View more context for this quotation
1745 J. Mason Treat. Self-knowl. i. i. 13 Thou will find nothing here that will flatter thy Self-Esteem.
1785 J. Grant Ess. Orig. Society 19 He..is naturally endued with that high sense of self-esteem which constitutes the passion of pride.
1851 D. Jerrold St. Giles & St. James (new ed.) xii, in Writings I. 121 The larger the man's self-esteem the surer is he of putting it off in the world's mart.
1884 Manch. Examiner 11 Nov. 5/2 There are plentiful grounds for an honest self-esteem.
1937 Life 1 Nov. (inside back cover) (advt.) A Timely suit! It robes a man in distinction... Heightens his self-esteem and improves his sense of values!
1977 R. P. Rettig et al. Manny 2 The gang begins to play a critical role in defining his identity and in providing him with a source of self-esteem.
2014 Spirit & Destiny Apr. 91/2 Catastrophising leads to anxiety, making you feel that you can't cope and so your self-esteem plummets.
2. spec. In phrenology: high self-regard or self-confidence considered as a distinct faculty or organ of the brain; the part of the skull covering this part of the brain. In later use only in bump of self-esteem. Now historical.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > the body > nervous system > cerebrospinal axis > brain > [noun] > faculties of
self-esteem1815
colour1819
vitativeness1843
1815 J. G. Spurzheim Physiognom. Syst. 394 To the second genus of special faculties belong self-esteem, love of approbation, combativeness, [etc.].
a1836 Encycl. Metrop. (1845) XXIII. 326/2 Self-esteem..occupies the middle of the upper posterior part of the head immediately above the Inhabitiveness..of Gall's system.
1882 Firelands Pioneer June 66/1 There could have been no bump of self-esteem on Mr. Lane's head; and the phrenologists tell us that a certain portion of self-esteem is absolutely necessary to success in this world.
2014 G. Turner et al. in C. Tileagă & J. Byford Psychol. & Hist. ii. ix. 196 A prominent bump of self-esteem had meant the owner was proud, bossy, arrogant and haughty.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, January 2018; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
<
n.1619