Obstinacy

Obstinacy
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. [1913 Webster]

You do not well in obstinacy To cavil in the course of this contract. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

To shelter their ignorance, or obstinacy, under the obscurity of their terms. --Locke. [1913 Webster]

2. The quality or state of being difficult to remedy, relieve, or subdue; as, the obstinacy of a disease or evil. [1913 Webster]

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. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • obstinacy — index contempt (disobedience to the court), contest (dispute), reluctance, resistance, resolution (decision), tenacity …   Law dictionary

  • obstinacy — (n.) late 14c., from M.L. obstinatia, from obstinatus (see OBSTINATE (Cf. obstinate)) …   Etymology dictionary

  • obstinacy — [äb′stə nə sē] n. [ME obstinacie < ML obstinatia, for L obstinatio] 1. the state or quality of being obstinate; specif., a) stubbornness b) resistance to treatment; persistence, as of a disease 2. pl. obstinacies an obstinate act, attitude,… …   English World dictionary

  • Obstinacy — (Roget s Thesaurus) < N PARAG:Obstinacy >N GRP: N 1 Sgm: N 1 obstinateness obstinateness &c. >Adj. Sgm: N 1 obstinacy obstinacy tenacity Sgm: N 1 cussedness cussedness =>(U.S.) Sgm: N 1 perseverance perseverance &c. 604a …   English dictionary for students

  • obstinacy — I (New American Roget s College Thesaurus) Refusal to comply Nouns 1. obstinacy, stubbornness, tenacity, doggedness; obduracy, obduration, insistence, resolution; intransigency, immovability, inflexibility, hardness, willpower; self will, will of …   English dictionary for students

  • obstinacy — noun (plural cies) Date: 14th century 1. a. the quality or state of being obstinate ; stubbornness b. the quality or state of being difficult to remedy, relieve, or subdue < the obstinacy of tuberculosis > 2. an instance of being obstinate …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • obstinacy — /ob steuh neuh see/, n., pl. obstinacies 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… …   Universalium

  • obstinacy — noun The state, or an act, of stubbornness or doggedness. He finished only through a mixture of determined obstinacy and ingenuity …   Wiktionary

  • obstinacy — ob·sti·na·cy äb stə nə sē n, pl cies the quality or state of being obstinate <the obstinacy of tuberculosis> …   Medical dictionary

  • obstinacy — noun Zach s obstinacy contributed to his unfavorable performance evaluation Syn: stubbornness, inflexibility, intransigence, intractability, obduracy, mulishness, pigheadedness, willfulness, contrariness, perversity, recalcitrance, refractoriness …   Thesaurus of popular words

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