STUBBORN

stubborn, obstinate, unregenerate

(adjective) tenaciously unwilling or marked by tenacious unwillingness to yield

refractory, stubborn

(adjective) not responding to treatment; “a stubborn infection”; “a refractory case of acne”; “stubborn rust stains”

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Adjective

stubborn (comparative stubborner, superlative stubbornest)

Refusing to move or to change one's opinion; obstinate; firmly resisting; persistent in doing something.

Of materials: physically stiff and inflexible; not easily melted or worked.

Synonyms

• willful, headstrong, wayward, obstinate, obdurate, contrary, disobedient, insubordinate, undisciplined, adamant, unyielding, rebellious

• See also obstinate, perseverant, persistent, enduring

Noun

stubborn (uncountable)

(informal) Stubbornness.

A disease of citrus trees characterized by stunted growth and misshapen fruit, caused by Spiroplasma citri.

Source: Wiktionary

Stub"born, a. Etym: [OE. stoburn, stiborn; probably fr. AS. styb a stub. See Stub.]

Definition: Firm as a stub or stump; stiff; unbending; unyielding; persistent; hence, unreasonably obstinate in will or opinion; not yielding to reason or persuasion; refractory; harsh; -- said of persons and things; as, stubborn wills; stubborn ore; a stubborn oak; as stubborn as a mule. "Bow, stubborn knees." Shak. "Stubborn attention and more than common application." Locke. "Stubborn Stoics." Swift. And I was young and full of ragerie [wantonness] Stubborn and strong, and jolly as a pie. Chaucer. These heretics be so stiff and stubborn. Sir T. More. Your stubborn usage of the pope. Shak.

Syn.

– Obstinate; inflexible; obdurate; headstrong; stiff; hardy; firm; refractory; intractable; rugged; contumacious; heady.

– Stubborn, Obstinate. Obstinate is used of either active or passive persistence in one's views or conduct, in spite of the wishes of others. Stubborn describes an extreme degree of passive obstinacy.

– Stub"born*ly, adv.

– Stub"born*ness, n.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition