English Dictionary: obdurateness | by the DICT Development Group |
1 result for obdurateness | |
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: | |
Obdurate \Ob"du*rate\, a. [L. obduratus, p. p. of obdurare to harden; ob (see Ob-)+ durare to harden, durus hard. See {Dure}.] 1. Hardened in feelings, esp. against moral or mollifying influences; unyielding; hard-hearted; stubbornly wicked. The very custom of evil makes the heart obdurate against whatsoever instructions to the contrary. --Hooker. Art thou obdurate, flinty, hard as steel, Nay, more than flint, for stone at rain relenteth? --Shak. 2. Hard; harsh; rugged; rough; intractable. [bd]Obdurate consonants.[b8] --Swift. Note: Sometimes accented on the second syllable, especially by the older poets. There is no flesh in man's obdurate heart. --Cowper. Syn: Hard; firm; unbending; inflexible; unyielding; stubborn; obstinate; impenitent; callous; unfeeling; insensible; unsusceptible. Usage: {Obdurate}, {Callous}, {Hardened}. Callous denotes a deadening of the sensibilities; as. a callous conscience. Hardened implies a general and settled disregard for the claims of interest, duty, and sympathy; as, hardened in vice. Obdurate implies an active resistance of the heart and will aganst the pleadings of compassion and humanity. -- {Ob"du*rate*ly}, adv. -- {Ob"du*rate*ness}, n. |