I. ˈstərdē, ˈstəd-, ˈstəid-, -di adjective
( -er/-est )
Etymology: Middle English, from Old French estourdi, estordi stunned, thoughtless, rash, past participle of estourdir, estordir to stun, from (assumed) Vulgar Latin exturdire to be dizzy as a thrush that is drunk from eating grapes, from Latin ex- + turdus thrush — more at thrush
1. obsolete : brave, resolute, or fierce in combat
2. archaic
a. : difficult to manage : stubbornly rebellious
b. : opinionated , obstinate
3.
a. : resistant to destruction : firmly built or constituted : stout
a sturdy peasant cottage of stucco and unpainted wood — Ida Treat
the sturdy oaks of the forest
the sturdiest types of airplanes — F.J.Brown & J.S.Roucek
b. : resistant to disease or unfavorable weather : hardy
the sturdiest of creepers, facing the ferocious winds of the hills, the tremendous rains … and bitter frost — Richard Jefferies
sumac and huckleberry hiding the less sturdy flowers — American Guide Series: Minnesota
c. : sound or enduring in design or execution : solid , substantial
his sturdy , matter-of-fact exegesis with its resolute rejection of forced and fantastic interpretation — H.E.W.Fosbroke
all delicate veining and spongy texture very unlike the sturdy Maine landscapes he used to do — Carlyle Burrows
conducts a sturdy performance of the overture — Irving Kolodin
4.
a. : characterized by or reflecting physical strength or vigor : robust
was a sturdy , handsome, high-colored woman — Carl Van Doren
compact, broad, and sturdy of limb — Joseph Conrad
b. : characterized by or expressive of mental vigor or vitality : unswerving , resolute
a sturdy race, self-reliant and independent in temper — Allan Nevins & H.S.Commager
developed into the sturdiest of fighters for reform — L.G.Vander Velde
our democratic faith was sturdy — F.D.Roosevelt
sturdy common sense
Synonyms: see strong
II. noun
( -es )
: gid