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obstinacy - 4 dictionary results

ob⋅sti⋅na⋅cy

  [ob-stuh-nuh-see]
Use obstinacy in a Sentence
–noun, plural -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; ME < ML obstinātia, deriv. of L obstinātus (see obstinate ); see -cy
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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ob·sti·na·cy   (ŏb'stə-nə-sē)   
n.   pl. ob·sti·na·cies
  1. The state or quality of being stubborn or refractory.
  2. The act or an instance of being stubborn or refractory.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Obstinacy

Ob"sti*na*cy\, n. [See Obstinate.]

1. A fixedness in will, opinion, or resolution that can not be shaken at all, or only with great difficulty; firm and usually unreasonable adherence to an opinion, purpose, or system; unyielding disposition; stubborness; pertinacity; persistency; contumacy.

You do not well in obstinacy To cavil in the course of this contract. --Shak.

To shelter their ignorance, or obstinacy, under the obscurity of their terms. --Locke.

2. The quality or state of being difficult to remedy, relieve, or subdue; as, the obstinacy of a disease or evil.

Syn: Pertinacity; firmness; resoluteness; inflexibility; persistency; stubbornness; perverseness; contumacy.

Usage: Obstinacy, Pertinacity. Pertinacity denotes great firmness in holding to a thing, aim, etc. Obstinacy is great firmness in holding out against persuasion, attack, etc. The former consists in adherence, the latter in resistance. An opinion is advocated with pertinacity or defended with obstinacy. Pertinacity is often used in a good sense; obstinacy generally in a bad one. "In this reply was included a very gross mistake, and if with pertinacity maintained, a capital error." --Sir T. Browne. "Every degree of obstinacy in youth is one step to rebellion." --South.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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Main Entry: ob·sti·na·cy
Pronunciation: 'äb-st&-n&-sE
Function: noun
Inflected Form: plural -cies
: thequality or state of being obstinate obstinacy of tuberculosis>
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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