— die-hardism , n.
/duy"hahrd'/ , n.
1. a person who vigorously maintains or defends a seemingly hopeless position, outdated attitude, lost cause, or the like.
adj.
2. resisting vigorously and stubbornly to the last; stubborn.
Also, diehard .
[ 1835-45; n., adj. use of v. phrase die hard ]