Sturdiest

3 definitions found

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

  Sturdy \Stur"dy\, a. [Compar. {Sturdier}; superl. {Sturdiest}.]
     [OE. sturdi inconsiderable, OF. estourdi stunned, giddy,
     thoughtless, rash, F. ['e]tourdi, p. p. of OF. estourdir to
     stun, to render giddy, to amaze, F. ['e]tourdir; of uncertain
     origin. The sense has probably been influenced by E. stout.]
     1. Foolishly obstinate or resolute; stubborn; unrelenting;


        unfeeling; stern.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              This sturdy marquis gan his hearte dress
              To rue upon her wifely steadfastness. --Chaucer.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              This must be done, and I would fain see
              Mortal so sturdy as to gainsay.       --Hudibras.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              A sturdy, hardened sinner shall advance to the
              utmost pitch of impiety with less reluctance than he
              took the first steps.                 --Atterbury.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. Resolute, in a good sense; or firm, unyielding quality;
        as, a man of sturdy piety or patriotism.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     3. Characterized by physical strength or force; strong;
        lusty; violent; as, a sturdy lout.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              How bowed the woods beneath their sturdy stroke!
                                                    --Gray.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     4. Stiff; stout; strong; as, a sturdy oak. --Milton.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              He was not of any delicate contexture; his limbs
              rather sturdy than dainty.            --Sir H.
                                                    Wotton.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     Syn: Hardy; stout; strong; firm; robust; stiff.
          [1913 Webster]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  sturdy
       adj 1: having rugged physical strength; inured to fatigue or
              hardships; "hardy explorers of northern Canada";
              "proud of her tall stalwart son"; "stout seamen";
              "sturdy young athletes" [syn: {hardy}, {stalwart}, {stout}]
       2: substantially made or constructed; "sturdy steel shelves";
          "sturdy canvas"; "a tough all-weather fabric"; "some
          plastics are as tough as metal" [syn: {tough}]
       [also: {sturdiest}, {sturdier}]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  sturdiest
       See {sturdy}