adj.
Pronunciation: r ō - ' b ə st, ' r ō -( ˌ )b ə st
Function: adjective
Etymology: Latin robustus oaken, strong, from robor-, robur oak, strength
Date: 1533
1 a : having or exhibiting strength or vigorous health b : having or showing vigor, strength, or firmness <a robust debate> <a robust faith> c : strongly formed or constructed : STURDY <a robust plastic> d : capable of performing without failure under a wide range of conditions < robust software>
2 : ROUGH , RUDE <stories ⋯ laden with robust , down-home imagery ― Playboy >
3 : requiring strength or vigor < robust work>
4 : FULL-BODIED < robust coffee> also : HEARTY <a robust dinner>
5 : of, relating to, resembling, or being a relatively large, heavyset australopithecine (esp. Australopithecus robustus and A. boisei ) characterized especially by heavy molars and small incisors adapted to a vegetarian diet ― compare GRACILE 3
synonyms see HEALTHY
– ro · bust · ly adverb
– ro · bust · ness \ - ' b ə s(t)-n ə s, -( ˌ )b ə s(t)- \ noun