-tough-

a. [ Compar. Tougher superl. Toughest. ] [ OE. tough, AS. tōh, akin to D. taai, LG. taa, tage, tau, OHG. zāhi, G. zähe, and also to AS. getenge near to, close to, oppressive, OS. bitengi. ] 1. Having the quality of flexibility without brittleness; yielding to force without breaking; capable of resisting great strain; as, the ligaments of animals are remarkably tough. “Tough roots and stubs. ” Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Not easily broken; able to endure hardship; firm; strong; -- of objects and people; as, tough sinews. Cowper. [ 1913 Webster ]

A body made of brass, the crone demands, . . .
Tough to the last, and with no toil to tire. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

The basis of his character was caution combined with tough tenacity of purpose. J. A. Symonds. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Not easily separated; viscous; clammy; tenacious; as, tough phlegm. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. Stiff; rigid; not flexible; stubborn; as, a tough bow. [ 1913 Webster ]

So tough a frame she could not bend. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. Severe; violent; as, a tough storm. [ Colloq. ] “ A tough debate. ” Fuller. [ 1913 Webster ]

6. Difficult to do, perform, or accomplish; as, a tough job. [ PJC ]

7. Prone to aggressive or violent behavior; rowdyish; -- of people, or groups; as, a tough neighborhood; a tough character. [ PJC ]

To make it tough, to make it a matter of difficulty; to make it a hard matter. [ Obs. ] Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]