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Webster 1913 Edition

Stubborn

Stub′born

,
Adj.
[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.
“Bow, stubborn knees.”
Shak.
“Stubborn attention and more than common application.”
Locke.
“Stubborn Stoics.”
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.
Shakespeare
Syn. – Obstinate; inflexible; obdurate; headstrong; stiff; hardy; firm; refractory; intractable; rugged; contumacious; heady.
–
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
,
Noun.

Webster 1828 Edition

Stubborn

STUBBORN

,
Adj.
[This word is doubtless formed on the root of stub or stiff, and denotes fixed, firm. But the origin of the latter syllable is not obvious.
1.
Unreasonably obstinate; inflexibly fixed in opinion; not to be moved or persuaded by reasons; inflexible; as a stubborn son; a stubborn mind or soul.
The queen is obstinate--stubborn to justice.
2.
Persevering; persisting; steady; constant; as stubborn attention.
3.
Stiff; not flexible; as a stubborn bow.
Take a plant of stubborn oak.
4.
Hardy; firm; enduring without complaint; as stubborn Stoics.
5.
Harsh; rough; rugged. [Little used.]
6.
Refractory; not easily melted or worked; as a stubborn ore or metal.
7.
Refractory; obstinately resisting command, the goad or the whip; as a stubborn ass or horse.

Definition 2024

stubborn

stubborn

English

Adjective

stubborn ‎(comparative stubborner, superlative stubbornest)

  1. Refusing to move or to change one's opinion; obstinate; firmly resisting.
    He is pretty stubborn about his political beliefs, so why bother arguing?
    Blood can make a very stubborn stain on fabrics if not washed properly.

Synonyms

Derived terms

Translations

Etymology

From Middle English stoburn, stoburne, styburne, stiborn; probable origin *stybor, *stibor, apparently from Old English styb ‎(“a stump, stub”) + adj. formative -or as in Old English bitor, English bitter.

Pronunciation

  • Rhymes: -ʌbə(ɹ)n

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