Main Entry:

¹hard

Pronunciation:

\ˈhärd\

Function:

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 bof cheese : not capable of being spread : very firm2 aof 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> bof currency : convertible into gold : stable in value c: usable as currency <paid in hard cash> dof 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 defects7 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 demagnetize11: 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>14of 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 or courage <the difficult ascent of the mountain>. arduous stresses the need of laborious and persevering exertion <the arduous task of rebuilding>.