Te*na"cious (?), a. [L. tenax, -acis, from tenere to hold. See Tenable, and cf. Tenace.]

1.

Holding fast, or inclined to hold fast; inclined to retain what is in possession; as, men tenacious of their just rights.

2.

Apt to retain; retentive; as, a tenacious memory.

3.

Having parts apt to adhere to each other; cohesive; tough; as, steel is a tenacious metal; tar is more tenacious than oil.

Sir I. Newton.

4.

Apt to adhere to another substance; glutinous; viscous; sticking; adhesive.

"Female feet, too weak to struggle with tenacious clay."

Cowper.

5.

Niggardly; closefisted; miserly.

Ainsworth.

6.

Holding stoutly to one's opinion or purpose; obstinate; stubborn.

-- Te*na"cious*ly, adv. -- Te*na"cious*ness, n.

 

© Webster 1913.

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