ob·sti·na·cy

[ob-stuh-nuh-see]
noun, plural ob·sti·na·cies for 5.
1.
the quality or state of being obstinate; stubbornness.
2.
unyielding or stubborn adherence to one's purpose, opinion, etc.
3.
stubborn persistence: The garrison fought on with incredible obstinacy.
4.
resistance to cure, relief, or treatment, as a disease.
5.
an instance of being obstinate; an obstinate act, viewpoint, etc.
Origin:
1350–1400; Middle English < Medieval Latin obstinātia, derivative of Latin obstinātus (see obstinate); see -cy

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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Obstinacy is always a great word to know.
So is quincunx. Does it mean:
an arrangement of five objects, as trees, in a square or rectangle, one at each corner and one in the middle.
a calculus or concretion found in the stomach or intestines of certain animals, esp. ruminants, formerly reputed to be an effective remedy for poison.
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Collins
World English Dictionary
obstinacy (ˈɒbstɪnəsɪ) [Click for IPA pronunciation guide]
 
—n , pl -cies
1.  the state or quality of being obstinate
2.  an obstinate act, attitude, etc

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

obstinacy
late 14c., from M.L. obstinatia, from obstinatus (see obstinate).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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Example sentences
His devotion to principle was often seen by others, not always incorrectly, as
  a form of political inactivity and obstinacy.
Their obstinacy in sticking to their customs, one could not deny it respect.
The obstinacy among golfers applies as much to preventive measures as to
  medical treatment.
Likewise, teachers should not pin the blame for a failure to convince the
  student merely on the obstinacy of the student.
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