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Webster 1913 Edition

Tough

Tough

,
Adj.
[
Com
par.
Tougher
;
sup
erl.
Toughest
.]
[OE.
tough
, AS.
tōh
, akin to D.
taai
, LG.
taa
,
tage
,
tau
, OHG.
zāhi
, G.
zähe
, and also to AS. ge
tenge
near to, close to, oppressive, OS. bi
tengi
.]
1.
Having the quality of flexibility without brittleness; yielding to force without breaking; capable of resisting great strain;
as, the ligaments of animals are remarkably
tough
.
“Tough roots and stubs. ”
Milton.
2.
Not easily broken; able to endure hardship; firm; strong; – of objects and people;
as,
tough
sinews
.
Cowper.
A body made of brass, the crone demands, . . .
Tough
to the last, and with no toil to tire.
Dryden.
The basis of his character was caution combined with
tough
tenacity of purpose.
J. A. Symonds.
3.
Not easily separated; viscous; clammy; tenacious;
as,
tough
phlegm
.
4.
Stiff; rigid; not flexible; stubborn;
as, a
tough
bow
.
So
tough
a frame she could not bend.
Dryden.
5.
Severe; violent;
as, a
tough
storm
.
[Colloq.]
“ A tough debate. ”
Fuller.
To make it tough
,
to make it a matter of difficulty; to make it a hard matter.
[Obs.]
Chaucer.

Webster 1828 Edition

Tough

TOUGH

,
Adj.
tuf.
1.
Having the quality of flexibility without brittleness; yielding to force without breaking. The ligaments of animals and of India rubber are remarkably tough. Tough timber, like young ash, is the most proper for the shafts and springs of a carriage.
2.
Firm; strong; not easily broken; able to endure hardship; as an animal of a tough frame.
3.
Not easily separated; viscous; clammy; tenacious; ropy; as tough phlegm.
4.
Stiff; not flexible.

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