pervicacious

American  

[pur-vi-key-shuhs] / ˌpɜr vɪˈkeɪ ʃəs /

adjective

1. extremely willful; obstinate; stubborn.

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Other Word Forms

• pervicaciously adverb
• pervicaciousness noun

Etymology

Origin of pervicacious

1625–35; < Latin pervicāc-, stem of pervicāx stubborn, willful ( per- per- + vic-, variant stem of vincere to conquer ( see victor) + -āx adj. suffix denoting tendency or ability) + -ious

Explanation

A person who is pervicacious resists other people’s suggestions or advice, determined to do things their own way. In other words, a pervicacious person is stubborn or obstinate. We have several more ordinary words for this character trait, including headstrong, bullheaded, pigheaded, and willful. Pervicacious is a sophisticated alternative; it's so uncommon that a stubborn person might not even realize they're being insulted if you use it to describe them. The word comes from the Latin pervicax, meaning "stubborn." The prefix per- means "thoroughly," and the root vic- comes from the Latin verb for "to conquer." A pervicacious person thoroughly conquers any opposing ideas by simply refusing to give in.

Example Sentences

May they be efficacious upon the mind of one of the most pervicacious young creatures that ever was heard of!

From Clarissa Harlowe; or the history of a young lady — Volume 1 by Richardson, Samuel

It is a round sum indeed; I wish a three-cornered sum would have served her turn.—Why should you be so pervicacious now, Pug?

From The works of John Dryden, now first collected in eighteen volumes. Volume 06 by Scott, Walter, Sir