First Known Use: 1626
Dictionary
pertinacious
adjective per·ti·na·cious \ˌpər-tə-ˈnā-shəs\
Definition of PERTINACIOUS
1
a : adhering resolutely to an opinion, purpose, or design b : perversely persistent
2
: stubbornly tenacious
— per·ti·na·cious·ly adverb
— per·ti·na·cious·ness noun
— per·ti·nac·i·ty \-ˈna-sə-tē\ noun
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Origin of PERTINACIOUS
Latin pertinac-, pertinax, from per- thoroughly + tenac-, tenax tenacious, from tenēre
Related to PERTINACIOUS
Synonym Discussion of PERTINACIOUS
obstinate, dogged, stubborn, pertinacious, mulish mean fixed and unyielding in course or purpose. obstinate implies usually an unreasonable persistence <an obstinate proponent of conspiracy theories>. dogged suggests an admirable often tenacious and unwavering persistence <pursued the story with dogged perseverance>. stubborn implies sturdiness in resisting change which may or may not be admirable <a person too stubborn to admit error>. pertinacious suggests an annoying or irksome persistence <a pertinacious salesclerk refusing to take no for an answer>. mulish implies a thoroughly unreasonable obstinacy <a mulish determination to have his own way>.
Rhymes with PERTINACIOUS
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