If you describe someone as ~, you mean that they are tough, independent, and spirited, often when you would not expect them to be, for example because they are old or ill.
At 66, she was as ~ as ever.
= spunky
ADJ
If you describe someone as ~, you mean that they are tough, independent, and spirited, often when you would not expect them to be, for example because they are old or ill.
At 66, she was as ~ as ever.
= spunky
ADJ
Collins COBUILD. Толковый словарь английского языка для изучающих язык Коллинз COBUILD (международная база данных языков Бирмингемского университета) . 2012