doggedness

American  

[daw-gid-nis, dog-id-] / ˈdɔ gɪd nɪs, ˈdɒg ɪd- /

noun

1. persistence in effort; tenacity or perseverance.

   It was the team captain’s doggedness and never-say-die approach that helped us qualify for the Olympics.

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Etymology

Origin of doggedness

dogged ¹ ( def. ) + -ness ( def. )

Explanation

Doggedness is a quality of being stubborn and persistent, like the doggedness of a skateboarder attempting a new trick over and over again until they get it just right. When this word was first used in the 14th century, it meant "with the qualities of a dog," but not in a good way — to be dogged was to act nasty or surly, and doggedness was a quality of cruelty, like a really mean dog might have. Both words evolved over the years and now imply persistence and tenacity, like a dog digging determinedly for a bone it has buried in the yard.

Example Sentences

"Doggedness and stamina do need periodic injections of oxygen."

From Reuters • Jan. 28, 2013

Doggedness has kept Gephardt in the game, but it has not been enough to put him on top of his division.

From Time Magazine Archive

Investigative Doggedness The affair stunned the nation and earned Nixon the enduring enmity of large segments of the U.S. intelligentsia.

From Time Magazine Archive

Never would his foes have opened the doors of their own Doggedness of Purpose. good will.

From Sir Walter Ralegh A Biography by Stebbing, W. (William)

Doggedness is essential to victory, but not over-doggedness.

From Punch, or the London Charivari, Volume 152, May 9, 1917 by Various