pertinacious

[ pur-tn-ey-shuhs ]

/ ˌpɜr tnˈeɪ ʃəs /

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adjective

holding tenaciously to a purpose, course of action, or opinion; resolute.

stubborn or obstinate.

extremely or objectionably persistent: a pertinacious salesman from whom I could not escape.

Nearby words

Origin of pertinacious

First recorded in 1620–30; pertinaci(ty) + -ous

SYNONYMS FOR pertinacious

1. persevering. 2. dogged.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR pertinacious ON THESAURUS.COM

Related formsper·ti·na·cious·ly, adverbper·ti·na·cious·ness, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for pertinacious

The poor victim of this pertinacious interrogatory now beat about within herself for succour.
Rhoda Fleming, Complete|George Meredith
The fellow's name was Swiney, and Sir Rowland knew him for fierce and pertinacious where a defaulting creditor was concerned.
Mistress Wilding|Rafael Sabatini
The Yates right half was plunging down from the long side, a pertinacious forward was almost at their heels.
The Half-Back|Ralph Henry Barbour
She was pertinacious in her behaviour, and damned the mayor.
Life of Lord Byron, Vol. I. (of VI.)|Thomas Moore

You are only making your degradation more remarkable by the pertinacious refusal to bow your head.
The Assembly of God|C. (Charles) H. (Henry) Mackintosh

British Dictionary definitions for pertinacious

pertinacious

/ (ˌpɜːtɪˈneɪʃəs) /

adjective

doggedly resolute in purpose or belief; unyielding

stubbornly persistent

Derived Formspertinaciously, adverbpertinacity (ˌpɜːtɪˈnæsɪtɪ) or pertinaciousness, noun

Word Origin for pertinacious

C17: from Latin pertināx, from per- (intensive) + tenāx clinging, from tenēre to hold

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 pertinacious