hard

hard
I. adjective Etymology: Middle English, from Old English heard; akin to Old High German hart hard, Greek kratos strength Date: before 12th century 1. a. not easily penetrated ; not easily yielding to pressure b. of cheese not capable of being spread ; very firm 2. a. of liquor (1) having a harsh or acid taste (2) strongly alcoholic b. characterized by the presence of salts (as of calcium or magnesium) that prevent lathering with soap <
hard water
>
3. a. of or relating to radiation of relatively high penetrating power ; having high energy <
hard X rays
>
b. having or producing relatively great photographic contrast <
a hard negative
>
4. a. metallic as distinct from paper <
hard money
>
b. of currency convertible into gold ; stable in value c. usable as currency <
paid in hard cash
>
d. of currency readily acceptable in international trade e. being high and firm <
hard prices
>
5. a. firmly and closely twisted <
hard yarns
>
b. having a smooth close napless finish <
a hard worsted
>
6. a. physically fit <
in good hard condition
>
b. resistant to stress or disease c. free of weakness or defects 7. a. (1) firm, definite <
reached a hard agreement
>
(2) not speculative or conjectural ; factual <
hard evidence
>
(3) important or informative rather than sensational or entertaining <
hard news
>
b. close, searching <
gave a hard look
>
c. free from sentimentality or illusion ; realistic <
good hard sense
>
d. lacking in responsiveness ; obdurate, unfeeling <
a hard heart
>
8. a. (1) difficult to bear or endure <
hard luck
>
<
hard times
>
(2) oppressive, inequitable <
sales taxes are hard on the poor
>
<
a hard restriction
>
b. (1) lacking consideration, compassion, or gentleness ; callous <
a hard greedy landlord
>
(2) incorrigible, tough <
a hard gang
>
c. (1) harsh, severe, or offensive in tendency or effect <
said some hard things
>
(2) resentful <
hard feelings
>
(3) strict, unrelenting <
drives a hard bargain
>
d. inclement <
hard winter
>
e. (1) intense in force, manner, or degree <
hard blows
>
(2) demanding the exertion of energy ; calling for stamina and endurance <
hard work
>
(3) performing or carrying on with great energy, intensity, or persistence <
a hard worker
>
f. most unyielding or thoroughgoing <
the hard political right
>
9. a. characterized by sharp or harsh outline, rigid execution, and stiff drawing b. sharply defined ; stark <
hard shadows
>
c. lacking in shading, delicacy, or resonance <
hard singing tones
>
d. sounding as in arcing and geese respectively — used of c and g e. suggestive of toughness or insensitivity <
hard eyes
>
10. a. (1) difficult to accomplish or resolve ; troublesome <
hard problems
>
<
the true story was hard to come by
>
(2) difficult to comprehend or explain <
a hard concept
>
b. having difficulty in doing something <
hard of hearing
>
c. difficult to magnetize or demagnetize 11. being at once addictive and gravely detrimental to health <
such hard drugs as heroin
>
12. resistant to biodegradation <
hard detergents
>
<
hard pesticides such as DDT
>
13. being, schooled in, or using the methods of the natural sciences and especially of the physical sciences <
a hard scientist
>
14. of money contributed (as by individuals or political action committees) directly to a particular candidate or campaign Synonyms: hard, difficult, arduous mean demanding great exertion or effort. hard implies the opposite of all that is easy <
farming is hard work
>
. difficult implies the presence of obstacles to be surmounted or puzzles to be resolved and suggests the need of skill, patience, or courage <
the difficult ascent of the main face of the mountain
>
. arduous stresses the need of laborious and persevering exertion <
the arduous task of rebuilding
>
. II. adverb Date: before 12th century 1. a. with great or utmost effort or energy ; strenuously <
were hard at work
>
<
the children played hard
>
b. in a violent manner ; fiercely c. to the full extent — usually used in nautical directions <
steer hard aport
>
d. to an immoderate degree <
hitting the bottle hard
>
e. in a searching, close, or concentrated manner <
stared hard at me
>
2. a. in such a manner as to cause hardship, difficulty, or pain b. with rancor, bitterness, or grief <
took the defeat hard
>
3. in a firm manner ; tightly 4. to the point of hardness <
frozen hard
>
5. close in time or space <
stands hard by the river
>

New Collegiate Dictionary. 2001.

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