2  definitions  found 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  Stubborn  \Stub"born\,  a.  [OE.  stoburn  stiborn;  probably  fr  AS 
  styb  a  stub.  See  {Stub}.] 
  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. 
 
  Usage:  {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. 
 
  From  WordNet  r  1.6  [wn]: 
 
  stubborn 
  adj  1:  tenaciously  unwilling  or  marked  by  tenacious  unwillingness 
  to  yield  [ant:  {docile}] 
  2:  (med)  not  responding  to  treatment;  "a  stubborn  infection"; 
  "a  refractory  case  of  acne"  [syn:  {refractory}] 
  3:  difficult  to  treat  or  deal  with  "stubborn  rust  stains";  "a 
  stubborn  case  of  acne" 
  4:  persisting  in  a  reactionary  stand  [syn:  {obstinate},  {unregenerate}] 

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