amour propre

amour propre

See also: amour-propre

English

Alternative forms

• amour-propre

Etymology

Borrowed from French amour-propre.

Noun

amour propre (uncountable)

1. Self-regard, self-esteem.
   • 1990, Peter Hopkirk, The Great Game, Folio Society 2010, p. 345:

     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.

   • 2001, Jonathan Franzen, The Corrections

     How he hated and how he loved the lilt in her voice, the bounce in her step, the serenity of her amour propre!

   • 2010, Deborah Orr, The Guardian, 11 Nov 2010:

     You'd imagine a 26-year sentence for a brutal murder would be enough to assuage the amour-propre of any police force.