Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • adjective Having or showing rugged physical strength or robust health.
  • adjective Substantially made or built; able to withstand stress or rough use.
  • adjective Marked by resoluteness or determination; firm.

from The Century Dictionary.

  • noun A disease of sheep caused by the presence in the brain of the eœenurus, or cystic larval form of the dog's tapeworm, Tænia cœnurus.
  • Obdurately set or determined; doggedly obstinate; stubborn; sulky: used of persons.
  • Having great force or endurance; strong in attack or resistance; vigorous; hardy; stout; lusty; robust: as, a sturdy opponent; sturdy pioneers; sturdy legs; a sturdy tree.
  • Firmly fixed or settled; resolute; unyielding; hard to overcome: used of things.
  • Synonyms Stout, Stalwart, etc. (see robust), brawny, sinewy, muscular, firm.

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • adjective Foolishly obstinate or resolute; stubborn; unrelenting; unfeeling; stern.
  • adjective Resolute, in a good sense; or firm, unyielding quality.
  • adjective Characterized by physical strength or force; strong; lusty; violent.
  • adjective Stiff; stout; strong.
  • noun (Vet.) A disease in sheep and cattle, marked by great nervousness, or by dullness and stupor.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • adjective of firm build
  • adjective solid in structure or person
  • noun A disease in sheep and cattle, marked by great nervousness, or by dullness and stupor.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • adjective not making concessions
  • adjective having rugged physical strength; inured to fatigue or hardships
  • adjective substantially made or constructed

Etymologies

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition

[Middle English, fierce, valiant, disobedient, strong, from Old French estourdi, dazed, reckless, from past participle of estourdir, to stun, perhaps from Vulgar Latin *exturdīre, to be or act drunk like a thrush that has eaten fermented grapes or berries : Latin ex-, intensive pref.; see ex– + Latin turdus, thrush.]

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

Circa 1300, in sense “unruly, reckless, violent”, from Old French estourdi, 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 which 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.

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Examples

  • The Sartorialist and her legs were described as "sturdy" -- this caused general online outrage because of the choice of word, but also because after spending a while working in the industry, Schuman's perspective on the female body is clearly tainted.

    The Full Feed from HuffingtonPost.com Laetitia Wajnapel 2011

  • With more than 4,150 Filipinos riding out the typhoon in sturdy school buildings, town halls, churches and relatives 'homes, roads in and out of coastal Isabela province, about 200 miles (320 kilometers) northeast of Manila, were deserted and blocked by collapsed trees, power lines and debris.

    Typhoon Megi Batters Philippines, Killing At Least 3 (VIDEO) The Huffington Post News Team 2010

  • It has the largest leaves and the freshest taste, most likely due to its individually foil-wrapped teabags in sturdy boxes, and the way Steven Smith usually obtains his ingredients.

    Peppermint Tea Showdown | Tea Derivations 2010

  • It has the largest leaves and the freshest taste, most likely due to its individually foil-wrapped teabags in sturdy boxes, and the way Steven Smith usually obtains his ingredients.

    2010 March | Tea Derivations 2010

  • Now, I want you to dress yourself in sturdy clothing and arm yourself however you like - a stiff shot of gin would be my recommendation - and I want you to go tell 1.3 billion Chinese that they can never have a Buick.

    P.J. O'Rourke's Advice? 'Don't Vote' 2010

  • With more than 4,150 Filipinos riding out the typhoon in sturdy school buildings, town halls, churches and relatives 'homes, roads in and out of coastal Isabela province, about 200 miles (320 kilometers) northeast of Manila, were deserted and blocked by collapsed trees, power lines and debris.

    Typhoon Megi Batters Philippines, Killing At Least 3 (VIDEO) The Huffington Post News Team 2010

  • It's simply a gathered straight skirt in sturdy denim, but I bought denim that had a border of embroidered flowers.

    The Beautiful Art Of Hans Dahl (1839-1937) 2009

  • Dennis M. Sabangan/EPA More than 3,600 Filipinos rode out the typhoon in sturdy school buildings, town halls, churches and relatives 'homes.

    Typhoon Megi Strikes Philippines 2010

  • With more than 4,150 Filipinos riding out the typhoon in sturdy school buildings, town halls, churches and relatives 'homes, roads in and out of coastal Isabela province, about 200 miles (320 kilometers) northeast of Manila, were deserted and blocked by collapsed trees, power lines and debris.

    Typhoon Megi Batters Philippines, Killing At Least 3 (VIDEO) Curtis M. Wong 2010

  • With more than 3,600 Filipinos riding out the typhoon in sturdy school buildings, town halls, churches and relatives 'homes, roads in and out of coastal Isabela province were deserted and blocked by collapsed trees and power lines.

    Super Typhoon Strikes The Philippines By BULLIT MARQUEZ 2010

Comments

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  • Now sturdy’s an interesting word.

    I note it derives from a bird.

    I see how the thrush

    Could seem like a lush

    But why did they call it a turd?

    June 1, 2018