obdurate

Definition

Stubbornly persistent, generally in wrongdoing; refusing to reform or repent.

Etymology

First attested in the 1450's, in Middle English; inherited from Middle English obdurat(e), borrowed from Latin obdūrātus (“hardened”), perfect passive participle of obdūrō (“to harden”) (see -ate (adjective-forming suffix)), from ob- (“against”) + dūrō (“to harden, render hard”), from dūrus (“hard”). Compare durable, endure.

Example Sentences

• "[…] sometimes the very custom of evil making the heart obdurate against whatsoever instructions to the contrary […]"
• "Art thou obdurate, flintie, hard as ſteele? / Nay more then flint, for ſtone at raine relenteth: […]"
• "[…] round he throws his baleful eyes That witness'd huge affliction and dismay Mixt with obdurate pride and stedfast hate:"

Related Words