- Obdurate
- Obdurate Ob"du*rate, a. [L. obduratus, p. p. of obdurare to
harden; ob (see Ob-)+ durare to harden, durus hard. See
{Dure}.]
1. Hardened in feelings, esp. against moral or mollifying
influences; unyielding; hard-hearted; stubbornly wicked.
[1913 Webster]
The very custom of evil makes the heart obdurate against whatsoever instructions to the contrary. --Hooker. [1913 Webster]
Art thou obdurate, flinty, hard as steel, Nay, more than flint, for stone at rain relenteth? --Shak. [1913 Webster]
2. Hard; harsh; rugged; rough; intractable. ``Obdurate consonants.'' --Swift. [1913 Webster]
Note: Sometimes accented on the second syllable, especially by the older poets. [1913 Webster]
There is no flesh in man's obdurate heart. --Cowper. [1913 Webster]
Syn: Hard; firm; unbending; inflexible; unyielding; stubborn; obstinate; impenitent; callous; unfeeling; insensible; unsusceptible.
Usage: {Obdurate}, {Callous}, {Hardened}. Callous denotes a deadening of the sensibilities; as, a callous conscience. Hardened implies a general and settled disregard for the claims of interest, duty, and sympathy; as, hardened in vice. Obdurate implies an active resistance of the heart and will aganst the pleadings of compassion and humanity. [1913 Webster] -- {Ob"du*rate*ly}, adv. -- {Ob"du*rate*ness}, n. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.