Both Uses of
pompous
in
Common Sense
- The English list of ships of war, is long and formidable, but not a tenth part of them are at any one time fit for service, numbers of them not in being; yet their names are pompously continued in the list, if only a plank be left of the ship: and not a fifth part of such as are fit for service, can be spared on any one station at one time.†
Chpt 4.
- The Speech if it may be called one, is nothing better than a wilful audacious libel against the truth, the common good, and the existence of mankind; and is a formal and pompous method of offering up human sacrifices to the pride of tyrants.†
Chpt Appe *
Definition:
-
(pompous) behaving with excessive self-importance -- often with exaggerated dignity or ceremonial splendor
or more rarely: showing ceremonial splendor (pomp)