01 a. Having the quality of flexibility without brittleness; yielding to force without breaking; capable of resisting great strain; as, the ligam…
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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.
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2.
Not easily broken; able to endure hardship; firm; strong; -- of objects and people; as, tough sinews.“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.
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3.
Not easily separated; viscous; clammy; tenacious; as, tough phlegm.
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4.
Stiff; rigid; not flexible; stubborn; as, a tough bow.“So tough a frame she could not bend.” — Dryden.
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5.
Severe; violent; as, a tough storm.[Colloq.]
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6.
Difficult to do, perform, or accomplish; as, a tough job.
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7.
Prone to aggressive or violent behavior; rowdyish; -- of people, or groups; as, a tough neighborhood; a tough character.
Phrases & compounds
To make it tough —
to make it a matter of difficulty; to make it a hard matter.