sturdy

¹

[ stur-dee ]

adjective

, stur·di·er, stur·di·est.

1. strongly built; stalwart; robust:

   sturdy young athletes.

   Synonyms: powerful, strong, stout, sinewy, brawny, muscular, hardy

   Antonyms: weak

2. strong, as in substance, construction, or texture:

   sturdy walls.

3. firm; courageous; indomitable:

   the sturdy defenders of the Alamo.

   Synonyms: unconquerable, vigorous, resolute, determined

4. of strong or hardy growth, as a plant.

sturdy

²

[ stur-dee ]

noun

, Veterinary Pathology.

1. gid.

sturdy

¹

/ ˈstɜːdɪ /

noun

1. See gid, staggers
   vet science another name for staggers gid

sturdy

²

/ ˈstɜːdɪ /

adjective

1. healthy, strong, and vigorous
2. strongly built; stalwart

Derived Forms

• ˈsturdied, adjective
• ˈsturdily, adverb
• ˈsturdiness, noun

Other Words From

• sturdi·ly adverb
• sturdi·ness noun
• un·sturdi·ly adverb
• un·sturdi·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of sturdy¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English stourdi, from Old French estourdi “dazed, reckless, stunned, violent,” past participle of estourdir “to daze, stun,” of disputed origin; perhaps ultimately from Latin ex- ex- ¹( def ) + a verb derivative of torpidus “numb,” turbus “disturbed,” or turdus “thrush”

Origin of sturdy²

First recorded in 1560–70; noun use of sturdy ¹ in obsolete sense “giddy”

Word History and Origins

Origin of sturdy¹

C17: from sturdy ¹(in the obsolete sense: giddy)

Origin of sturdy²

C13 (in the sense: rash, harsh): from Old French estordi dazed, from estordir to stun, perhaps ultimately related to Latin turdus a thrush (taken as representing drunkenness)

Example Sentences

Its streamlined, but sturdy, exoskeleton may shield the insect from digestive juices.

From Science News

The club, helmed by second-year head coach James Clarkson, went through a roster overhaul in the offseason with a focus on fitness, efficiency in the attack and sturdier defense.

From FiveThirtyEight

Using that solution as their base, the researchers added pollen-protecting ingredients, like calcium and potassium, along with a polymer to make the bubbles sturdy enough to withstand winds generated by drone propellers.

From Science News

For example, most of the galleasses couldn’t carry the sturdy square sails because of the size of the galley-based hull.

From Realm of History

Designed as a massive circular platform reinforced with sturdy metallic plates, and driven by wheels – the Armored Car was envisaged to have a crew of 8 members inside the hull.

From Realm of History

Related Words

• bulky
• hearty
• hulking
• muscular
• powerful
• robust
• rugged
• stiff
• stout
• strapping
• strong