hardhead

[ hahrd-hed ]

/ ˈhɑrdˌhɛd /

a shrewd, practical person.

a blockhead.

a freshwater fish, Mylopharodon conocephalus, of California.

the Atlantic croaker. See under croaker(def 2).

hardhead sponge.

hardheads. a common knapweed, Centaurea nigra.

hard head.

Origin of hardhead

First recorded in 1510–20; hard + head

hardhead ²

[ hahrd-hed ]

/ ˈhɑrdˌhɛd /

an alloyed silver coin of Scotland, issued in the 16th and 17th centuries, equal to one and one-half pence and later to twopence.

Also called lion.

1555–65; perhaps (by folk etymology) < French hardit, after Philip III, named le Hardi the Bold (1245–85), king of France, who first issued the coin

His companions had nicknamed him Hardhead because of his obstinate character.

Brazilian Tales |Joaquim Maria Machado de Assis