definitions

obstinacy

[ ob-stuh-nuh-see ]
/ ˈɒb stə nə si /
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SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR obstinacy ON THESAURUS.COM

noun, plural ob·sti·na·cies for 5.

the quality or state of being obstinate; stubbornness.
unyielding or stubborn adherence to one's purpose, opinion, etc.
stubborn persistence: The garrison fought on with incredible obstinacy.
resistance to cure, relief, or treatment, as a disease.
an instance of being obstinate; an obstinate act, viewpoint, etc.

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RELATED WORDS

reluctance, determination, purpose, tenacity, obstinance

Nearby words

obstetrical paralysis, obstetrically, obstetrician, obstetrician-gynecologist, obstetrics, obstinacy, obstinance, obstinate, obstinately, obstipation, obstreperous

Origin of obstinacy

1350–1400; Middle English < Medieval Latin obstinātia, derivative of Latin obstinātus (see obstinate); see -cy
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for obstinacy

British Dictionary definitions for obstinacy

obstinacy

/ (ˈɒbstɪnəsɪ) /

noun plural -cies

the state or quality of being obstinate
an obstinate act, attitude, etc
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for obstinacy

obstinacy

n.

late 14c., from Medieval Latin obstinatia, from obstinatus (see obstinate).

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper