ostus

Ostus is a term derived from Latin, where it denotes pride, conceit, or ostentation. Historically, it has been used in classical literature to criticize excessive self-regard or the display of superiority. The word appears in phrases such as “ostus vincit” (pride wins) and “ostus et molestia” (pride and inconvenience) to caution against the dangers of hubris.

In medieval scholarship, ostus was employed in moral treatises to warn students and clerics against hubris and to underscore the virtue of modesty. Commentaries on the works of Cicero and Augustine often include the word in discussions on the ethical implications of overconfidence. By the Early Modern period, the term had largely fallen out of common usage in English, remaining mainly in specialized theological or philosophical texts.

Modern references to ostus are sparse, and it is largely considered a historical or academic term rather than part of everyday language. Scholars who study Roman rhetoric or medieval moral philosophy may encounter the word in original texts, glossaries, or in translations of Latin literature. While the concept of ostentation and pride remains relevant in contemporary discussions of character and virtue, the specific term ostus is rarely used outside of linguistic or classical studies.

Linguistic analysis places ostus in the family of Latin words that stem from the root “ost,” which is connected to the verb “ostendere,” meaning to show or display. This etymological lineage reflects the figurative nature of the word: showing oneself before others in an exaggerated or arrogant manner. The term continues to be of interest primarily to scholars studying the evolution of moral vocabulary in Latin.