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Sturdy

10 dictionary results for: sturdy

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This

stur·dy1

[stur-dee] Pronunciation Key

–adjective, -di·er, -di·est.

1.	strongly built; stalwart; robust: sturdy young athletes.

2.	strong, as in substance, construction, or texture: sturdy walls.

3.	firm; courageous; indomitable: the sturdy defenders of the Alamo.

4.	of strong or hardy growth, as a plant.

[Origin: 1250–1300; ME stourdi < OF estourdi dazed, stunned, violent, reckless (ptp. of estourdir < ?)

]

—Related forms

stur·di·ly, adverb

stur·di·ness, noun

—Synonyms 1. hardy, muscular, brawny, sinewy, stout, strong, powerful. 3. resolute, vigorous, determined, unconquerable.

—Antonyms 1. weak.

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.

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Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This

stur·dy2

[stur-dee] Pronunciation Key

–noun Veterinary Pathology.

gid.

[Origin: 1560–70; n. use of sturdy¹ in obs. sense “giddy”

]

—Related forms

sturdied, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.

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American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

gid (gĭd) Pronunciation Key
n. A disease of herbivores, especially sheep, caused by the presence of the larvae of the tapeworm Multiceps multiceps in the brain and resulting in a staggering gait. Also called sturdy.

[Back-formation from giddy.]

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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.

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American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

stur·dy (stûr'dē) Pronunciation Key
adj. stur·di·er, stur·di·est

Having or showing rugged physical strength.
Substantially made or built; stout: sturdy canvas.
Marked by resoluteness or determination; firm: sturdy resistance.
Vigorous or robust.

n. See gid.

[Middle English, reckless, sturdy, from Old French estourdi, past participle of estourdir, to stun, perhaps from Vulgar Latin *exturdīre, to be giddy as a thrush : Latin ex-, intensive pref.; see ex- + Latin turdus, thrush.]

stur'di·ly adv., stur'di·ness n.

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Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
sturdy

1297, "hard to manage, reckless, violent," from O.Fr. estourdi "violent," originally "dazed," pp. of estourdir "to daze," from V.L. *exturdire, which is presumed to be from L. intensive prefix ex + turdus "thrush." Perhaps the notion is of thrushes eating leftover grapes at wineries and acting drunk (It. tordo "thrush" also means "simpleton," and Fr. has the expression soûl comme une grive "drunk as a thrush"). OED, however, regards all this as "open to grave objection." Sense of "solidly built, strong and hardy" first recorded c.1386.

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WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This

sturdy
adjective
1.	having rugged physical strength; inured to fatigue or hardships; "hardy explorers of northern Canada"; "proud of her tall stalwart son"; "stout seamen"; "sturdy young athletes" [syn: hardy]
2.	not making concessions; "took an uncompromising stance in the peace talks"; "uncompromising honesty" [syn: uncompromising] [ant: compromising]
3.	substantially made or constructed; "sturdy steel shelves"; "sturdy canvas"; "a tough all-weather fabric"; "some plastics are as tough as metal"

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Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
Main Entry: stur·dy
Pronunciation: 'st&rd-E
Function: noun
Inflected Form: plural sturdies
: GID

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Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Sturdy

Stur"dy\, a. [Compar. Sturdier; superl. Sturdiest.] [OE. sturdi inconsiderable, OF. estourdi stunned, giddy, thoughtless, rash, F. ['e]tourdi, p. p. of OF. estourdir to stun, to render giddy, to amaze, F. ['e]tourdir; of uncertain origin. The sense has probably been influenced by E. stout.]

1. Foolishly obstinate or resolute; stubborn; unrelenting; unfeeling; stern.

This sturdy marquis gan his hearte dress To rue upon her wifely steadfastness. --Chaucer.

This must be done, and I would fain see Mortal so sturdy as to gainsay. --Hudibras.

A sturdy, hardened sinner shall advance to the utmost pitch of impiety with less reluctance than he took the first steps. --Atterbury.

2. Resolute, in a good sense; or firm, unyielding quality; as, a man of sturdy piety or patriotism.

3. Characterized by physical strength or force; strong; lusty; violent; as, a sturdy lout.

How bowed the woods beneath their sturdy stroke! --Gray.

4. Stiff; stout; strong; as, a sturdy oak. --Milton.

He was not of any delicate contexture; his limbs rather sturdy than dainty. --Sir H. Wotton.

Syn: Hardy; stout; strong; firm; robust; stiff.

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Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Sturdy

Stur"dy\, n. [OF. estourdi giddiness, stupefaction.] (Vet.) A disease in sheep and cattle, marked by great nervousness, or by dullness and stupor.

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