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It is not only important, but, in a degree necessary, that the people of this country, should have an American Dictionary of the English language; for, although the body of the language is the same as in England, and it is desirable to perpetuate that sameness, yet some differences must exist. Language is the expression of ideas; and if the people of one country cannot preserve an identity of ideas, they cannot retain an identity of language. |
OB'DURATE, a. [L. obduro, to harden; ob and duro.]
OB'DURATE, v.t. To harden. [Not used.]
Hardened in feelings, esp. against moral or
mollifying influences; unyielding; hard-hearted; stubbornly
wicked.
The very custom of evil makes the heart obdurate against whatsoever instructions to the contrary. Hooker. Art thou obdurate, flinty, hard as steel, Nay, more than flint, for stone at rain relenteth? Shak. Hard; harsh; rugged; rough;
intractable.
"Obdurate consonants." Swift.
* Sometimes accented on the second syllable, especially by the older poets. There is no flesh in man's obdurate heart. Cowper. Syn. -- Hard; firm; unbending; inflexible; unyielding; stubborn; obstinate; impenitent; callous; unfeeling; insensible; unsusceptible. -- Obdurate, Callous, Hardened. Callous denotes a deadening of the sensibilities; as. a callous conscience. Hardened implies a general and settled disregard for the claims of interest, duty, and sympathy; as, hardened in vice. Obdurate implies an active resistance of the heart and will aganst the pleadings of compassion and humanity. -- To
harden.
[Obs.] | ||||||||