OBSTINACY • DICCIONARIO INGLES.COM • Definition of Obstinacy

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/ˈɑbstənəsi/ Listen

noun

Obstinacy n.

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. "You do not well in obstinacy To cavil in the course of this contract." "To shelter their ignorance, or obstinacy, under the obscurity of their terms."

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

Synonyms: Pertinacity; firmness; resoluteness; inflexibility; persistency; stubbornness; perverseness; contumacy. 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." "Every degree of obstinacy in youth is one step to rebellion."

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Etymology of 'Obstinacy'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Obstinacy" Quotes from Famous Books

... figure; Baron Brant, the hope of the California contingent, at 4 to 1; The Maori at 8 to 1; Ambrose Churchill at 12 to 1, and Pharaoh was held at 15 and 20. The bookmakers had heard that the Curry horse had been taken from the car at noon, and wondered at the obstinacy of his owner in starting him, stiff and cramped from ...

— Old Man Curry - Race Track Stories • Charles E. (Charles Emmett) Van Loan

... breach. The more persistently, though gently, Mr. West pleaded the cause of his parishioners, asking the Captain to be considerate to them for humanity's sake, the greater grew the other's obstinacy in holding to his own will. To be thus opposed roused all the devil within him—it was his own expression; and he grew to hate Mr. West with an ...

— The Argosy - Vol. 51, No. 1, January, 1891 • Various

... here below are about to end. If in the presence of such obstinacy I was forced to permit, with deep regret, the use of great severity, my task of fraternal correction has its limits. You are the fig tree which, having failed so many times to bear fruit, at last withered, ...

— Masterpieces of Mystery - Riddle Stories • Various

... present circumstances. Even in France I do not think things will move as lucidly and generously as that. There will be a conflict everywhere between wisdom and cunning, between the eyes of youth and the purblind, between energy and obstinacy. ...

— What is Coming? • H. G. Wells

... One day of public whipping would suffice. When the blood began to flow, he would see his duty clearer! The men were prophesying from the depths and the abundance of their self-consciousness. Others speculated on the final result of the executed sentence. They believed that the "obstinacy" and courage of the man would provoke his judges, and the executors of his sentence,—that with rigor they would execute it,—and that, led on by passion, and provoked by such as would side with the victim, the sentence would terminate in his destruction. Sooner or later, nothing but his life ...

— Atlantic Monthly Volume 6, No. 34, August, 1860 • Various

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