[te.na.cious] adj [L tenac-, tenax tending to hold fast, fr. tenere to hold] (1607) 1 a: not easily pulled apart: cohesive, tough "a ~ metal" b: tending to adhere or cling esp. to another substance: sticky "~ burs" "~ clay"
2. a: persistent in maintaining or adhering to something valued or habitual "a man very ~ of his rights" b: retentive "a ~ memory" syn see strong -- te.na.ci.ous.ly adv -- te.na.cious.ness n