I. ˈhärd 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