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From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.44 [gcide]:
Obdurate \Ob"du*rate\, adjective [L. obduratus, p. p. of obdurare to harden; ob (see Ob-)+ durare to harden, durus hard. See {Dure}.]
1. Hardened in feelings, esp. against moral or mollifying influences; unyielding; hard-hearted; stubbornly wicked.
The very custom of evil makes the heart obdurate against whatsoever instructions to the contrary. --Hooker.
Art thou obdurate, flinty, hard as steel, Nay, more than flint, for stone at rain relenteth? --Shak.
2. Hard; harsh; rugged; rough; intractable. ''Obdurate consonants.'' --Swift.
Note: Sometimes accented on the second syllable, especially by the older poets.
There is no flesh in man's obdurate heart. --Cowper.
Syn: Hard; firm; unbending; inflexible; unyielding; stubborn; obstinate; impenitent; callous; unfeeling; insensible; unsusceptible.
Usage: {Obdurate}, {Callous}, {Hardened}. Callous denotes a deadening of the sensibilities; as, a callous conscience. Hardened implies a general and settled disregard for the claims of interest, duty, and sympathy; as, hardened in vice. Obdurate implies an active resistance of the heart and will aganst the pleadings of compassion and humanity. -- {Ob"du*rate*ly}, adverb -- {Ob"du*rate*ness}, noun
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