Glory

• 1. subjectively. a. The disposition to claim honour for oneself; boastful spirit. Obs. exc. in the combination VAINGLORY.

b. Desire for fame; ambition. Obs.

• 2. objectively. a. Exalted (and, in mod. use, merited) praise, honour, or admiration accorded by common consent to a person or thing; honourable fame, renown.

b. the glory of God: the honour of God, considered as the final cause of creation, and as the highest moral aim of intelligent creatures.

• 3. Something that brings honour and renown; a subject for boasting; a distinguished ornament; a special distinction; a ‘boast and pride’. Also pl.

• 4. a. Praise, honour, and thanksgiving offered in adoration.

b. nonce-use. Obs.

c. Used as a devout ejaculation (short for Glory be to God) in the worship of various religious sects. Hence vulgarly as a mere exclamation expressive of delight. Also in form glory be!

• 5. In Biblical phraseology: the glory of God: the majesty and splendour attendant upon a manifestation of God.

• 6. Resplendent beauty or magnificence. Now often with suggestion of sense 5 or 7: An effulgence of light such as is associated with our conceptions of heaven; fig. an unearthly beauty attributed by imagination. Also pl., features of resplendent beauty or magnificence, splendours.

• 7. a. The splendour and bliss of heaven. (Cf. F. la gloire éternelle.)

b. colloq. to go to glory: to go to heaven; to die.

• 8. A state of exaltation and splendour. in one's glory: in one's highest state of magnificence or prosperity; also colloq., in a state of unbounded gratification or enjoyment.

• 9. a. The circle of light represented as surrounding the head, or the whole figure, of the Saviour, the Virgin, or one of the Saints; an AUREOLE n. or NIMBUS.

b. A representation of the heavens opening and revealing celestial beings. ? Obs. (Cf. F. gloire.)

c. transf. Any circle or ring of light; a halo, corona. Also, a name for the star of an order of knighthood (obs.), and spec. an anthelion or fog-bow.

d. Bot. = CORONA 7b. Obs.