die-hard

or die·hard

[ dahy-hahrd ]
/ ˈdaɪˌhɑrd /

noun

a person who vigorously maintains or defends a seemingly hopeless position, outdated attitude, lost cause, or the like.

adjective

resisting vigorously and stubbornly to the last; stubborn.

Origin of die-hard

First recorded in 1835–45; noun, adj. use of verb phrase die hard

OTHER WORDS FROM die-hard

die-hard·ism, noun

Definition for diehard (2 of 2)

die 1
[ dahy ]
/ daɪ /

verb (used without object), died, dy·ing.

Verb Phrases

Origin of die

1
1150–1200; Middle English dien, deien < Old Norse deyja. Cf. dead, death

synonym study for die

1. Die, pass away ( pass on; pass ), perish mean to relinquish life. To die is to become dead from any cause and in any circumstances. It is the simplest, plainest, and most direct word for this idea, and is used figuratively of anything that has once displayed activity: An echo, flame, storm, rumor dies. Pass away (or pass on or pass ) is a commonly used euphemism implying a continuation of life after death: Grandfather passed away ( passed on or passed ). Perish, a more literary term, implies death under harsh circumstances such as hunger, cold, neglect, etc.; figuratively, perish connotes utter extinction: Hardship caused many pioneers to perish. Ancient Egyptian civilization has perished.

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH die

die dye

Example sentences from the Web for diehard

British Dictionary definitions for diehard (1 of 3)

die-hard

noun

a person who resists change or who holds onto an untenable position or outdated attitude
(modifier) obstinately resistant to change

Derived forms of die-hard

die-hardism, noun

British Dictionary definitions for diehard (2 of 3)

die 1
/ (daɪ) /

verb dies, dying or died (mainly intr)

See also dieback, die down, die out

Word Origin for die

Old English dīegan, probably of Scandinavian origin; compare Old Norse deyja, Old High German touwen

usage for die

It was formerly considered incorrect to use the preposition from after die, but of and from are now both acceptable: he died of/from his injuries

British Dictionary definitions for diehard (3 of 3)

die 2
/ (daɪ) /

noun

Word Origin for die

C13 dee, from Old French de, perhaps from Vulgar Latin datum (unattested) a piece in games, noun use of past participle of Latin dare to play

Medical definitions for diehard

die
[ dī ]

v.

To cease living; become dead; expire.
To cease existing, especially by degrees; fade.

Idioms and Phrases with diehard

die