ŏb’sti-na-cy, n.

n. [Lat. obstinatio, Fr. obstination, Pr. obstinatio, Sp. obstinacion, It. ostinazione. See infra.]

1Sense 1. A fixedness in opinion or resolution that can not be shaken at all, or not without great difficulty; firm and usually unreasonable adherence to an opinion, purpose, or system; a fixedness that will not yield to persuasion, arguments, or other means; stubbornness; pertinacity; persistency.

2Sense 2. Fixedness that will not yield to application, or that yields with difficulty; 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 on to a thing; as, pertinacity of opinion, &c. Obstinacy is great firmness in holding out against persuasion, attack, &c.; as, obstinacy of will. The former consists in adherence, the latter in resistance. Pertinacity is often used in a good sense; obstinacy is almost always taken in a bad one; but not so the adjective obstinate, for we speak with applause of the obstinate defense of a fortress, &c. “In this reply was included a very gross mistake, and if with pertinacity maintained, a capital error.” Browne. “Every degree of obstinacy in youth is one step to rebellion.” South.