̷ ̷ˈnasəd.ē, -ətē, -i noun
( -es )
Etymology: Latin tenacitat-, tenacitas, from tenac-, tenax tenacious + -itat-, -itas -ity
1.
a. : the quality or state of holding fast : determination , firmness , persistence
the stubborn tenacity with which its landowners have clung to their homes — American Guide Series: Louisiana
maintained this conviction with a fearless tenacity — Russell Kirk
b. : persistency , retentiveness
tenacity of memory
the chief distinguishing feature is their tenacity of life — C.R.A.Martin
2.
a. : the quality or state of being cohesive : tensile strength : cohesiveness: as
(1) : resistance of a mineral to deformation (as breaking, crushing, bending)
(2) : resistance of a textile fiber, filament, or yarn to strain or breaks : breaking strength
b. : adhesiveness , glutinousness
clay of the most extraordinary tenacity — O.S.Nock
Synonyms: see courage