[1] : The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

tough \tough\, a. compar. tougher; superl. toughest. oe.
   tough, as. t=oh, akin to d. taai, lg. taa, tage, tau, ohg.
   z=ahi, g. zaumhe, and also to as. getenge near to, close
   to, oppressive, os. bitengi.
   1. having the quality of flexibility without brittleness;
      yielding to force without breaking; capable of resisting
      great strain; as, the ligaments of animals are remarkably
      tough. "tough roots and stubs. " --milton.
      1913 webster

   2. not easily broken; able to endure hardship; firm; strong;
      -- of objects and people; as, tough sinews. --cowper.
      1913 webster

            a body made of brass, the crone demands, . . .
            tough to the last, and with no toil to tire.
                                                  --dryden.
      1913 webster

            the basis of his character was caution combined with
            tough tenacity of purpose.            --j. a.
                                                  symonds.
      1913 webster

   3. not easily separated; viscous; clammy; tenacious; as,
      tough phlegm.
      1913 webster

   4. stiff; rigid; not flexible; stubborn; as, a tough bow.
      1913 webster

            so tough a frame she could not bend.  --dryden.
      1913 webster

   5. severe; violent; as, a tough storm. colloq. " a tough
      debate. " --fuller.
      1913 webster

   6. difficult to do, perform, or accomplish; as, a tough job.
      pjc

   7. prone to aggressive or violent behavior; rowdyish; -- of
      people, or groups; as, a tough neighborhood; a tough
      character.
      pjc

   to make it tough, to make it a matter of difficulty; to
      make it a hard matter. obs. --chaucer.
      1913 webster
see also:
tougher toughest to make it tough 

Tougher >> T Words
Tougher, definition of term: Tougher
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