ˈhigh-ˌminded, a.
1. Having or characterized by a haughty, proud, or arrogant spirit. arch.
| c 1503 in Lett. & Papers Rich. III & Hen. VII (1861–3) I. 239 The lady Luce was a proude hij myndyd woman, and lovyth not the kyngis grace. 1526 Tindale Rom. xi. 20 Be not hye minded, but feare. 1530 Palsgr. 315/2 Hyemyneded, orgueilleux, fiers. 1535 Coverdale Ps. cxxx[i]. 1 Lord, I am not hye mynded, I haue no proude lokes. 1623 Bingham Xenophon 110 To humble these high-minded men. a 1716 Bp. O. Blackall Wks. (1723) I. 9 Poor in Spirit may very properly denote one that is free from Pride, one that is not high-minded. 1865 Kingsley Herew. xv, Be not rash. Be not high-minded. |
2. Having a morally lofty character; characterized by high principles; magnanimous.
| 1556 Aurelio & Isab. (1608) D iij, Eche of them confessede with a hey myndede courragie the faute to be his. c 1590 Greene Fr. Bacon ix. 195 Martial Plantagenet, Henry's high-minded son. 1832 W. Irving Alhambra I. 292 These cavaliers are evidently well-bred, and high-minded youths. 1881 H. Morley Eng. Lit. Q. Vict. iii. (Tauchn.) 77 What little there was of highminded statesmanship was often lost among lowthoughted cares of a political life. |
Hence highˈmindedly adv., highˈmindedness.
| 1571 Golding Calvin on Ps. lxiii. 12 His godly hyghmyndednesse is to bee noted. 1657 Reeve God's Plea 39 Oh beloved, let us abate of this high-mindednesse. 1824 Campbell Theodoric 385 She bore her fate high-mindedly and well. 1884 W. S. Lilly in Contemp. Rev. Feb. 256 High-mindedness, he says, is the crown of all virtue, and the high-minded man occupies himself with honour, and lays claim to it, and takes pleasure in it. |