Free from excessive pride (3)
I believe the answer is:
rid
'free' is the definition.
('rid' can be a synonym of 'free')
'from excessive pride' is the wordplay.
'from' indicates a hidden word.
'RID' is hidden within 'excessive pride'.
(Other definitions for rid that I've seen before include "Free (someone of something unwanted)" , "Free, disencumber" , "Clear, remove" , "Lose, shake off" , "Free (person of affliction)" .)