amour propre
nounEtymology Borrowed from French amour-propre.
1
Self-regard, self-esteem.
- St Petersburg was endeavouring to restore its amour propre in Central Asia following the hurried departure of its mission from Afghanistan and the disappointing outcome of its recent war with Turkey.1990, Peter Hopkirk, The Great Game, Folio Society, published 2010, page 345:
- How he hated and how he loved the lilt in her voice, the bounce in her step, the serenity of her amour propre!2001, Jonathan Franzen, The Corrections:
1 more example
- You'd imagine a 26-year sentence for a brutal murder would be enough to assuage the amour-propre of any police force.2010 November 11, Deborah Orr, The Guardian: