— stoutly , adv. — stoutness , n.
/stowt/ , adj. stouter, stoutest , n.
adj.
1. bulky in figure; heavily built; corpulent; thickset; fat: She is getting too stout for her dresses.
2. bold, brave, or dauntless: a stout heart; stout fellows.
3. firm; stubborn; resolute: stout resistance.
4. forceful; vigorous: a stout argument; a stout wind.
5. strong of body; hearty; sturdy: stout seamen.
6. having endurance or staying power, as a horse.
7. strong in substance or body, as a beverage.
8. strong and thick or heavy: a stout cudgel.
n.
9. a dark, sweet brew made of roasted malt and having a higher percentage of hops than porter.
10. porter of extra strength.
11. a stout person.
12. a garment size designed for a stout man.
13. a garment, as a suit or overcoat, in this size.
[ 1250-1300; ME (adj.) estout bold, proud stout bold, MLG stolt, MHG stolz proud ]
Syn. 1. portly, fleshy. STOUT, FAT, PLUMP imply corpulence of body. STOUT describes a heavily built but usually strong and healthy body: a handsome stout lady. FAT, an informal word with unpleasant connotations, suggests an unbecoming fleshy stoutness; it may, however, apply also to a hearty fun-loving type of stout person: a fat old man; fat and jolly. PLUMP connotes a pleasing roundness and is often used as a complimentary or euphemistic equivalent for stout, fleshy, etc.: a plump figure attractively dressed. 2. valiant, gallant, intrepid, fearless, indomitable, courageous. 3. obstinate. 5. brawny, sinewy.
Ant. 1. thin, lean.