[ro.bust] adj [L robustus oaken, strong, fr. robor-, robur oak, strength] (1549) 1 a: having or exhibiting strength or vigorous health b: having or showing vigor, strength, or firmness "a ~ debate" "a ~ faith" c: strongly formed or constructed: sturdy "a ~ plastic"
2: rough, rude "stories ... laden with ~, down-home imagery --Playboy"
3: requiring strength or vigor "~ work"
4: full-bodied "~ coffee"; also: hearty "a ~ dinner"
5: relating to, resembling, or being any of the primitive, relatively large, heavyset hominids (genus Australopithecus and esp. A. robustus and A. boisei) characterized esp. by heavy molars and small incisors adapted to a vegetarian diet--compare gracile 3 syn see healthy -- ro.bust.ly adv -- ro.bust.ness n