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stubbornly

 - 3 dictionary results

stub⋅born

[stuhb-ern]
–adjective
1. unreasonably obstinate; obstinately unmoving: a stubborn child.
2. fixed or set in purpose or opinion; resolute: a stubborn opponent of foreign aid.
3. obstinately maintained, as a course of action: a stubborn resistance.
4. difficult to manage or suppress: a stubborn horse; a stubborn pain.
5. hard, tough, or stiff, as stone or wood; difficult to shape or work.

Origin:
1350–1400; ME stiborn(e), styborne, stuborn < ?


stub⋅born⋅ly, adverb
stub⋅born⋅ness, noun


1. contrary, intractable, refractory, unyielding, headstrong, obdurate. 2. persevering. Stubborn, dogged, obstinate, persistent imply fixity of purpose or condition and resistance to change. Stubborn and obstinate both imply resistance to advice, entreaty, remonstrance, or force; but stubborn implies more of innate quality and is the more frequently used when referring to inanimate things: stubborn disposition; stubborn difficulties. Dogged implies pertinacity and grimness in doing something, esp. in the face of discouragements: dogged determination. Persistent implies having staying or lasting qualities, resoluteness, and perseverance: persistent questioning.


1. tractable. 2. irresolute.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To stubbornly
stub·born   (stŭb'ərn)   
adj.   stub·born·er, stub·born·est
    1. Unreasonably, often perversely unyielding; bullheaded.

    2. Firmly resolved or determined; resolute. See Synonyms at obstinate.

  1. Characterized by perseverance; persistent.

  2. Difficult to treat or deal with; resistant to treatment or effort: stubborn soil; stubborn stains.


[Middle English stuborn.]
stub'born·ly adv., stub'born·ness n.
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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Word Origin & History

stubborn 
c.1386, of uncertain origin. Earliest form is stiborn. OED doubts any connection with stub (n.).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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