na-adjective, noun
arrogant; haughty; self-important
Archaic word describing a person's overbearing pride or conceit. Not used in modern everyday speech; encountered mainly in classical texts or historical contexts.
古い文献には「威高な態度」という表現が見られる。
In old documents, the expression 'an arrogant attitude' can be found.
The exact derivation is uncertain; the kanji 威 (dignity, authority) and 高 (high) suggest a meaning of 'elevated authority' leading to arrogance. The alternate spelling 居高 uses 居 (reside, be) and 高, possibly implying a lofty bearing.