obstinate

Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary

Contents 1 English 1.1 Etymology 1.2 Pronunciation 1.3 Adjective 1.3.1 Synonyms 1.3.2 Derived terms 1.3.3 Related terms 1.3.4 Translations 1.4 External links

[edit] English

[edit] Etymology

From Latin obstinātus, past participle of obstinō (“‘set one's mind firmly upon, resolve’”) < ob (“‘before’”) + *stinare < stare (“‘to stand’”).

[edit] Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA: /ˈɒb.stɪ.nət/, /ˈɒb.stɪ.nɪt/, SAMPA: /"Qb.stI.n@t/, /"Qb.stI.nIt/
• (US) enPR: äb'stənət, IPA: /ˈɑb.stə.nət/, /ˈɑb.stə.nɪt/, SAMPA: /"Ab.st@.n@t/, /"Ab.st@.nIt/
•  Audio (US)^{help, file}

[edit] Adjective

obstinate (comparative more obstinate, superlative most obstinate)

1. Stubbornly adhering to an opinion, purpose, or course, usually with implied unreasonableness; persistent.
   • 1686, Montaigne, translated by Charles Cotton, "That men are justly punished for being obstinate in the defence of a fort that is not in reason to be defended",

     From this consideration it is that we have derived the custom, in times of war, to punish […] those who are obstinate to defend a place that by the rules of war is not tenable […]

2. Said of inanimate things not easily subdued or removed.
   • 1927, Gandhi, translated by Mahadev Desai, An Autobiography or The Story of my Experiments with Truth, Part IV, Chapter XXIX,

     Now it happened that Kasturbai […] had again begun getting haemorrhage, and the malady seemed to be obstinate.

[edit] Synonyms

• (stubbonly adhering to an opinion, purpose, or course): bloody-minded, persistent, stubborn, pertinacious
• (not easily subdued): persistent, unrelenting, inexorable
• See also Wikisaurus:obstinate

[edit] Derived terms

• obstinately
• obstinateness

[edit] Related terms

• obstinacy

[edit] Translations

[edit] External links

• obstinate in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913
• obstinate in The Century Dictionary, The Century Co., New York, 1911
• obstinate at OneLook® Dictionary Search