Sturdy

a. [compar. STURDIER; superl. STURDIEST.] [O. Fr. estourdi, N. Fr. étourdi, stunned, giddy, thoughtless, rash, p. p. of estourdir, étourdir, to stun, to render giddy, to amaze, It. stordire, p. p. stordito. Cf. Icel. styrdr, rigid, hard. See infra.]

1Sense 1. Foolishly obstinate; stout; hardy; implying coarseness or rudeness.

This must be done, and I would fain see Mortal so sturdy as to gainsay. Hudibras.

A sturdy, hardened sinner advances to the utmost pitch of impiety with less reluctance than he took the first step. Atterbury.

2Sense 2. Characterized by strength or force; strong; lusty; violent; as, a sturdy lout.

How bowed the woods beneath their sturdy stroke! Gray.

3Sense 3. Stiff; stout; strong; as, a sturdy oak.

He was not of a delicate contexture, his limbs rather sturdy than dainty. Wotton.

Synonyms—Hardy; stout; strong; firm; robust; obstinate; forcible; stiff.