hard

I. adjective Etymology: Middle English, from Old English heard; akin to Old High German hart hard, Greek kratos strength Date: before 12th century 1. a. not easily penetrated ; not easily yielding to pressure b. of cheese not capable of being spread ; very firm 2. a. of liquor (1) having a harsh or acid taste (2) strongly alcoholic b. characterized by the presence of salts (as of calcium or magnesium) that prevent lathering with soap <

hard water

> 3. a. of or relating to radiation of relatively high penetrating power ; having high energy <

hard X rays

> b. having or producing relatively great photographic contrast <

a hard negative

> 4. a. metallic as distinct from paper <

hard money

> b. of currency convertible into gold ; stable in value c. usable as currency <

paid in hard cash

> d. of currency readily acceptable in international trade e. being high and firm <

hard prices

> 5. a. firmly and closely twisted <

hard yarns

> b. having a smooth close napless finish <

a hard worsted

> 6. a. physically fit <

in good hard condition

> b. resistant to stress or disease c. free of weakness or defects 7. a. (1) firm, definite <

reached a hard agreement

> (2) not speculative or conjectural ; factual <

hard evidence

> (3) important or informative rather than sensational or entertaining <

hard news

> b. close, searching <

gave a hard look

> c. free from sentimentality or illusion ; realistic <

good hard sense

> d. lacking in responsiveness ; obdurate, unfeeling <

a hard heart

> 8. a. (1) difficult to bear or endure <

hard luck

> <

hard times

> (2) oppressive, inequitable <

sales taxes are hard on the poor

> <

a hard restriction

> b. (1) lacking consideration, compassion, or gentleness ; callous <

a hard greedy landlord

> (2) incorrigible, tough <

a hard gang

> c. (1) harsh, severe, or offensive in tendency or effect <

said some hard things

> (2) resentful <

hard feelings

> (3) strict, unrelenting <

drives a hard bargain

> d. inclement <

hard winter

> e. (1) intense in force, manner, or degree <

hard blows

> (2) demanding the exertion of energy ; calling for stamina and endurance <

hard work

> (3) performing or carrying on with great energy, intensity, or persistence <

a hard worker

> f. most unyielding or thoroughgoing <

the hard political right

> 9. a. characterized by sharp or harsh outline, rigid execution, and stiff drawing b. sharply defined ; stark <

hard shadows

> c. lacking in shading, delicacy, or resonance <

hard singing tones

> d. sounding as in arcing and geese respectively — used of c and g e. suggestive of toughness or insensitivity <

hard eyes

> 10. a. (1) difficult to accomplish or resolve ; troublesome <

hard problems

> <

the true story was hard to come by

> (2) difficult to comprehend or explain <

a hard concept

> b. having difficulty in doing something <

hard of hearing

> c. difficult to magnetize or demagnetize 11. being at once addictive and gravely detrimental to health <

such hard drugs as heroin

> 12. resistant to biodegradation <

hard detergents

> <

hard pesticides such as DDT

> 13. being, schooled in, or using the methods of the natural sciences and especially of the physical sciences <

a hard scientist

> 14. of money contributed (as by individuals or political action committees) directly to a particular candidate or campaign Synonyms: hard, difficult, arduous mean demanding great exertion or effort. hard implies the opposite of all that is easy <

farming is hard work

>. difficult implies the presence of obstacles to be surmounted or puzzles to be resolved and suggests the need of skill, patience, or courage <

the difficult ascent of the main face of the mountain

>. arduous stresses the need of laborious and persevering exertion <

the arduous task of rebuilding

>. II. adverb Date: before 12th century 1. a. with great or utmost effort or energy ; strenuously <

were hard at work

> <

the children played hard

> b. in a violent manner ; fiercely c. to the full extent — usually used in nautical directions <

steer hard aport

> d. to an immoderate degree <

hitting the bottle hard

> e. in a searching, close, or concentrated manner <

stared hard at me

> 2. a. in such a manner as to cause hardship, difficulty, or pain b. with rancor, bitterness, or grief <

took the defeat hard

> 3. in a firm manner ; tightly 4. to the point of hardness <

frozen hard

> 5. close in time or space <

stands hard by the river

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