Sturdy, a. [Compar. Sturdier; superl. Sturdiest.]
Etymology: [OE. sturdi inconsiderable, OF. estourdi stunned, giddy, thoughtless, rash, F. étourdi, p.p. of OF. estourdir to stun, to render giddy, to amaze, F. étourdir; of uncertain origin. The sense has probably been influenced by E. stout.]
1. Foolishly obstinate or resolute; stubborn; unrelenting; unfeeling; stern. This sturdy marquis gan his hearte dress To rue upon her wifely steadfastness. Chaucer. This must be done, and I would fain see Mortal so sturdy as to gainsay. Hudibras. A sturdy, hardened sinner shall advance to the utmost pitch of impiety with less reluctance than he took the first steps. Atterbury.
2. Resolute, in a good sense; or firm, unyielding quality; as, a man of sturdy piety or patriotism.
3. Characterized by physical strength or force; strong; lusty; violent; as, a sturdy lout. How bowed the woods beneath their sturdy stroke! Gray.
4. Stiff; stout; strong; as, a sturdy oak. Milton. He was not of any delicate contexture; his limbs rather sturdy than dainty. Sir H. Wotton.
1 more senses
Syn. -- Hardy; stout; strong; firm; robust; stiff.
1 other Webster entry under this spelling
Sturdy, n.
(Vet.)
A disease in sheep and cattle, marked by great nervousness, or by dullness and stupor.
Shades of meaning
Fernald lists sturdy only as an antonym, under faint.
Where he writes about it:
Masculine may apply to the distinctive qualities of the male sex at any age; virile applies to the distinctive qualities of mature manhood only, as opposed not only to feminine or womanly but to childish, and is thus an emphatic word for sturdy, intrepid, etc. — from masculine