stubborn Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. adjective tenaciously unwilling or marked by tenacious unwillingness to yield
    unregenerate; obstinate.
  2. adjective satellite not responding to treatment
    refractory.
    • a stubborn infection
    • a refractory case of acne
    • stubborn rust stains

WordNet

Stub"born adjective
Etymology
OE. stoburn, stiborn; probably fr. AS. styb a stub. See Stub.
Definitions
  1. 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.

Webster 1913