obdurate
6 dictionary results for: obdurate
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This
ob·du·rate 
[ob-doo-rit, -dyoo-] Pronunciation Key
—Related forms
[ob-doo-rit, -dyoo-] Pronunciation Key –adjective
| 1. | unmoved by persuasion, pity, or tender feelings; stubborn; unyielding. |
| 2. | stubbornly resistant to moral influence; persistently impenitent: an obdurate sinner. |
[Origin: 1400–50; late ME obdurat < L obdūrātus (ptp. of obdūrāre to harden), equiv. to ob- ob- + dūr(us) hard + -ātus -ate1]
] —Related forms
ob·du·rate·ly, adverb
ob·du·rate·ness, noun
—Synonyms 1. hard, obstinate, callous, unbending, inflexible. 2. unregenerate, reprobate, shameless.
—Antonyms 1. soft, tractable. 2. humble, repentant.
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
| ob·du·rate
(ŏb'dŏŏ-rĭt, -dyŏŏ-) Pronunciation Key
adj.
[Middle English obdurat, from Late Latin obdūrātus, past participle of obdūrāre, to harden, from Latin, to be hard, endure : ob-, intensive pref.; see ob- + dūrus, hard; see deru- in Indo-European roots.] ob'du·rate·ly adv., ob'du·rate·ness n. |
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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
obdurate
obdurate
c.1440, from L. obduratus "hardened," pp. of obdurare "harden," from ob "against" + durare "harden, render hard," from durus "hard" (see endure).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This
| obdurate | |
adjective | |
| 1. | stubbornly persistent in wrongdoing [syn: cussed] |
| 2. | showing unfeeling resistance to tender feelings; "his flinty gaze"; "the child's misery would move even the most obdurate heart" [syn: flinty] |
WordNet® 3.0, © 2006 by Princeton University.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
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. "Obdurate consonants." --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.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
Obdurate
Ob"du*rate\, v. t. To harden. [Obs.]
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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