Ard′ū·ous, a.
a. [Lat. arduus, steep, high, akin to Ir. ard, high, height.]
- High or lofty, in a literal sense. “Arduous paths.” Pope.
- Attended with great labor, like the ascending of acclivities; difficult; as, an arduous employment, task, or enterprise.
Syn.—Difficult; trying; laborious; painful; exhausting.—ARDUOUS, HARD, DIFFICULT. We call a thing difficult when it requires more or less of exertion to perform it; as, a difficult problem to solve. We call it hard when the effort required is decidedly greater; as, a hard task, a hard duty to be performed. We call it arduous when it requires strenuous and persevering exertion, like that of one who is climbing a precipice; as, an arduous task, an arduous duty. “It is often difficult to control our feelings; it is still harder to subdue our will; but it is an arduous undertaking to control the unruly and contending will of others.”