Obs. Also bragge. [See BRAG sb.1]
1. Spirited, brisk, lively, mettlesome, valiant.
a. 1300. Wright’s Lyric P. (1842), 24. That maketh us so brag and bolde, and biddeth us ben blythe.
c. 1350. Will. Palerne, 3048. Best of his bodi boldest & braggest in armes.
1600. Holland, Livy, XXV. xxxix. 579 e. The Romanes … lustie and brag for their new victorie, began to make a fray.
1610. G. Fletcher, Christ’s Vict., i. The bragge lambes ranne wantoning about.
2. Boastful (of).
c. 1315. Shoreham, 110. Prede … That ketheth wordes bragge.
1560. Daus, trans. Sleidane’s Comm., 119 b. They are as bragge and as proude as pecockes.
1655. Gurnall, Chr. in Arm., i. (1669), 75/1. Not the braggest Philosopher among the Gentiles.
3. quasi-adv. Haughtily, boastfully.
c. 1350. Will. Palerne, 2352. Summe þat bere hem now brag schuld blede or euen.
c. 1394. P. Pl. Crede, 706. Hy schulde nouȝt beren hem so bragg.
1572. R. H., Lauaterus’ Ghostes (1596), 41. They vaunted and bare themselues very brag on their priuiledges.
1579. Spenser, Sheph. Cal., Feb. Seest how brag yond bullock beares … his pricked eares?
4. Comb. Brag-brained, head-strong.
1648. Petit. Eastern Assoc., 20. Whirl-crown’d, and bragg-braind Opinionists.
