sturdy
adjective
- resistant to failure
Wiktionary
Pronunciation: /ˈstɜːdi/ / /ˈstɜrdi/
adj
Etymology: From Middle English sturdy, stourdy, stordy (“bold, valiant, strong, stern, fierce, rebellious”) (perhaps influenced by Middle English sture, stoure, stor (“strong, robust, harsh, stern, violent, fierce, sturdy”); see English stour), from Old French estourdi (“dazed”), form of estourdir, originally “to daze, to make tipsy (almost drunk)” (Modern French étourdir (“to daze, to make tipsy”)), from Vulgar Latin *exturdire. Latin etymology is unclear – presumably it is ex- + turdus (“thrush (bird)”), but how this should mean “daze” is unclear. A speculative theory is that thrushes eat leftover winery grapes and thus became drunk, but this meets with objections. Disease in cows and sheep is by extension of sense of “daze”, while sense of “strongly built” is of late 14th century, and relationship to earlier sense is less clear, perhaps from sense of a firm strike (causing a daze) or a strong, violent person.
- Of firm build; stiff; stout; strong.
“a sturdy oak tree”
“He was not of any delicate contexture; his limbs rather sturdy then dainty.”
- Solid in structure or person.
“It was a sturdy building, able to withstand strong winds and cold weather.”
“The dog was sturdy and could work all day without getting tired.”
- Foolishly obstinate or resolute; stubborn.
“This must be done, and I would fain see / Mortal so sturdy as to gainsay.”
“[A] ſturdy, hardned Sinner ſhall advance to the utmoſt pitch of Impiety with leſs difficulty, leſs reluctance of Mind, than perhaps he took the firſt ſteps in Wickedneſs, whilſt his Conſcience was yet Vigilant and Tender.”
- Resolute, in a good sense; or firm, unyielding quality.
“a man of sturdy piety or patriotism”
name
Etymology: A nickname from Middle English stourdy (“bold, valiant, reckless”).
- A surname from Middle English.
noun
Etymology: From Middle English sturdy, stourdy, stordy (“bold, valiant, strong, stern, fierce, rebellious”) (perhaps influenced by Middle English sture, stoure, stor (“strong, robust, harsh, stern, violent, fierce, sturdy”); see English stour), from Old French estourdi (“dazed”), form of estourdir, originally “to daze, to make tipsy (almost drunk)” (Modern French étourdir (“to daze, to make tipsy”)), from Vulgar Latin *exturdire. Latin etymology is unclear – presumably it is ex- + turdus (“thrush (bird)”), but how this should mean “daze” is unclear. A speculative theory is that thrushes eat leftover winery grapes and thus became drunk, but this meets with objections. Disease in cows and sheep is by extension of sense of “daze”, while sense of “strongly built” is of late 14th century, and relationship to earlier sense is less clear, perhaps from sense of a firm strike (causing a daze) or a strong, violent person.
- A disease caused by a coenurus infestation in the brain of an animal, especially a sheep or canid; coenurosis.