tenacious
[ tuh-ney-shuhs ]
/ təˈneɪ ʃəs /
adjective
holding fast; characterized by keeping a firm hold (often followed by of): a tenacious grip on my arm; tenacious of old habits.
highly retentive: a tenacious memory.
pertinacious, persistent, stubborn, or obstinate.
adhesive or sticky; viscous or glutinous.
holding together; cohesive; not easily pulled asunder; tough.
Origin of tenacious
First recorded in 1600–10;
tenaci(ty) +
-ous
SYNONYMS FOR tenacious
4 clinging.
OTHER WORDS FROM tenacious
Words nearby tenacious
tena koe,
tena korua,
tena koutou,
tenable,
tenace,
tenacious,
tenacity,
tenaculum,
tenaculum forceps,
tenafly,
tenaille
Example sentences from the Web for tenacious
British Dictionary definitions for tenacious
tenacious
/ (tɪˈneɪʃəs) /
adjective
holding or grasping firmly; forceful
a tenacious grip
retentive
a tenacious memory
stubborn or persistent
a tenacious character
holding together firmly; tough or cohesive
tenacious cement
tending to stick or adhere
tenacious mud
Derived forms of tenacious
tenaciously, adverb tenaciousness or tenacity (tɪˈnæsɪtɪ), nounWord Origin for tenacious
C16: from Latin
tenāx, from
tenēre to hold
Medical definitions for tenacious
tenacious
[ tə-nā′shəs ]
adj.
Clinging to another object or surface; adhesive.
Holding together firmly; cohesive.