miles gloriosus

English - English

Definition of miles gloriosus in English English dictionary

Alternative form of miles gloriosus

A standard character in ancient comedy and in modern comedy depicting ancient military figures: the bravado-filled, self-important, swaggering soldier

It is possible, then, to read the text of 1 Henry IV as exploiting Hotspur's contradictions for maximum effect, producing a figure who is neither tragic hero, comic miles gloriosus, nor historical reenactment but exuberantly all three at once.

a braggart soldier (a stock figure in comedy)

Hyphenation

Miles gloriosus

Etymology

() Borrowed from Latin mīles (soldier) + glōriōsus (glorious)