Hardy

a. [compar. HARDIER; superl. HARDIEST.] [Fr. hardi, Pr. ardit, It. ardito, O. Sp. ardido, properly p. p. of Fr. hardir, for enhardir, Pr. ardir, to make bold, It. ardire, to be bold, from O. H. Ger. hartjan, A-S. heardian, Eng. harden. See HARD.]

1. Bold; brave; stout; daring; resolute; intrepid; as, there are few who are hardy enough to encounter contempt.
2. Confident; full of assurance; impudent; stubborn to excess. Johnson.
3. Strong; firm; compact.

An unwholesome blast may shake in pieces his hardy fabric. South.

4. Inured to fatigue; rendered firm by exercise, as a veteran soldier.
5. Able to bear exposure to cold weather; as, a hardy plant.