haughty (adj) - proud and disdainful; arrogant and egotistical [haw-tee]
haughtiness describes an intense pride mixed with contempt or scorn for others
BREAKDOWN: The word haughty can be traced most recently to the 15th-century haught meaning high in one’s own estimation. That word derives from the Old French haut meaning high or lofty, and before that the Latin word altus meaning high. Ultimately, haughty can be connected to the root ALI- meaning to nourish or grow in words like altitude and coalesce.
“Never be haughty to the humble; never be humble to the haughty.” —Mark Twain
[Our Wednesday Wildcards are fascinating and important words that are not necessarily derived from classical roots.]