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tenacious

[tuh-ney-shuhs]

Origin

adjective

holding fast; characterized by keeping a firm hold (often followed by of): a tenacious grip on my arm; tenacious of old habits.

highly retentive: a tenacious memory.

pertinacious, persistent, stubborn, or obstinate.

adhesive or sticky; viscous or glutinous.

holding together; cohesive; not easily pulled asunder; tough.

Origin:
1600–10; tenaci(ty) + -ous

Related forms

te·na·cious·ly, adverb

te·na·cious·ness, noun

o·ver·te·na·cious, adjective

o·ver·te·na·cious·ly, adverb

o·ver·te·na·cious·ness, noun

EXPAND

un·te·na·cious, adjective

un·te·na·cious·ly, adverb

un·te·na·cious·ness, noun

COLLAPSE

Synonyms
3. opinionated, dogged. 4. clinging.

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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tenacious is an SAT word you need to know.

So is substantive. Does it mean:

false belief or opinion

of considerable amount or quantity

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Collins

World English Dictionary

tenacious (tɪˈneɪʃəs)

—*adj*
1.	holding or grasping firmly; forceful: a tenacious grip
2.	retentive: a tenacious memory
3.	stubborn or persistent: a tenacious character
4.	holding together firmly; tough or cohesive: tenacious cement
5.	tending to stick or adhere: tenacious mud

[C16: from Latin tenāx, from tenēre to hold]

te'naciously

—*adv*

te'naciousness

—n

tenacity

—n

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline

Word Origin & History

tenacious

c.1600, from L. tenaci-, from tenax "holding fast" (see tenacity). Related: Tenaciously.

American Heritage

Medical Dictionary

tenacious te·na·cious (tə-nā'shəs)
adj.