English Dictionary: stubborn | by the DICT Development Group |
2 results for stubborn | |
From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]: | |
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From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: | |
Stubborn \Stub"born\, a. [OE. stoburn, stiborn; probably fr. AS. styb a stub. See {Stub}.] Firm as a stub or stump; stiff; unbending; unyielding; persistent; hence, unreasonably obstinate in will or opinion; not yielding to reason or persuasion; refractory; harsh; -- said of persons and things; as, stubborn wills; stubborn ore; a stubborn oak; as stubborn as a mule. [bd]Bow, stubborn knees.[b8] --Shak. [bd]Stubborn attention and more than common application.[b8] --Locke. [bd]Stubborn Stoics.[b8] --Swift. And I was young and full of ragerie [wantonness] Stubborn and strong, and jolly as a pie. --Chaucer. These heretics be so stiff and stubborn. --Sir T. More. Your stubborn usage of the pope. --Shak. Syn: Obstinate; inflexible; obdurate; headstrong; stiff; hardy; firm; refractory; intractable; rugged; contumacious; heady. Usage: {Stubborn}, {Obstinate}. Obstinate is used of either active or passive persistence in one's views or conduct, in spite of the wishes of others. Stubborn describes an extreme degree of passive obstinacy. -- {Stub"born*ly}, adv. -- {Stub"born*ness}, n. |