HUMILITY

Pronunciation (US): (GB):

I. (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A disposition to be humble; a lack of false pride

Example:

not everyone regards humility as a virtue

Synonyms:

humbleness; humility

Classified under:

Nouns denoting attributes of people and objects

Hypernyms ("humility" is a kind of...):

trait (a distinguishing feature of your personal nature)

Attribute:

humble (marked by meekness or modesty; not arrogant or prideful)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "humility"):

meekness; subduedness (a disposition to be patient and long suffering)

Antonym:

conceit (the trait of being unduly vain and conceited; false pride)

Derivation:

humble (marked by meekness or modesty; not arrogant or prideful)

Sense 2

Meaning:

A humble feeling

Example:

he was filled with humility at the sight of the Pope

Synonyms:

humbleness; humility

Classified under:

Nouns denoting feelings and emotions

Hypernyms ("humility" is a kind of...):

feeling (the experiencing of affective and emotional states)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "humility"):

meekness; submission (the feeling of patient, submissive humbleness)

self-depreciation (a feeling of being of little worth)

Antonym:

pride (a feeling of self-respect and personal worth)

Credits

Context examples:

“Well,” he added after he had dosed them round and they had taken his prescriptions, with really laughable humility, more like charity schoolchildren than blood-guilty mutineers and pirates—“well, that's done for today.

(Treasure Island, by Robert Louis Stevenson)

He had gone some way, lost in doubt and in self-reproach, his mind all tremulous with a thousand new-found thoughts and fears and wonderments, when of a sudden there was a light rustle of the leaves behind him, and, glancing round, there was this graceful, swift-footed creature, treading in his very shadow, with her proud head bowed, even as his was—the picture of humility and repentance.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Hyde was thenceforth impossible; whether I would or not, I was now confined to the better part of my existence; and O, how I rejoiced to think of it! with what willing humility I embraced anew the restrictions of natural life! with what sincere renunciation I locked the door by which I had so often gone and come, and ground the key under my heel!

(The Strange Case Of Dr. Jekyll And Mr. Hyde, by Robert Louis Stevenson)

It was perhaps a part of Mrs. Heep's humility, that she still wore weeds.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

And when she has forgiven you, perhaps a little humility may be convenient while acknowledging a second engagement, almost as imprudent in HER eyes as the first.

(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)

"That I'm not!" acquiesced Laurie, with an expression of humility quite new to him, as he dropped his eyes and absently wound Jo's apron tassel round his finger.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

Humility, Jane, said he, is the groundwork of Christian virtues: you say right that you are not fit for the work.

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)

“Nothing is more deceitful,” said Darcy, “than the appearance of humility. It is often only carelessness of opinion, and sometimes an indirect boast.”

(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)

He had meant them to be good, but his cares had been directed to the understanding and manners, not the disposition; and of the necessity of self-denial and humility, he feared they had never heard from any lips that could profit them.

(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)

“Could I defend my conduct if I did not, sir?” I returned, with all humility.