Obdurateness

1 definition found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  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.
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              The very custom of evil makes the heart obdurate
              against whatsoever instructions to the contrary.
                                                    --Hooker.
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              Art thou obdurate, flinty, hard as steel,
              Nay, more than flint, for stone at rain relenteth?
                                                    --Shak.
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     2. Hard; harsh; rugged; rough; intractable. "Obdurate
        consonants." --Swift.
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     Note: Sometimes accented on the second syllable, especially
           by the older poets.
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                 There is no flesh in man's obdurate heart.
                                                    --Cowper.
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     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.
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