Emily Dickinson Lexicon

STUB'BORN, a. [This word is doubtless formed on the root of stub or stiff and denotes fixed, firm. Chaucer writes it stibborne, 6038. But the origin of the latter syllable is not obvious.]

1. Unreasonably obstinate; inflexibly fixed in opinion; not to be moved or persuaded by reasons; inflexible; as, a stubborn son; a stubborn mind or soul. The queen is obstinate … / Stubborn to justice. – Shak.
2. Persevering; persisting; steady; constant; as, stubborn attention. – Locke.
3. Stiff; not flexible; as, a stubborn bow. – Chapman. Take a plant of stubborn oak. – Dryden.
4. Hardy; firm; enduring without complaint; as, stubborn Stoics. – Swift.
5. Harsh; rough; rugged. [Little used.]
6. Refractory; not easily melted or worked; as, a stubborn ore or metal.
7. Refractory; obstinately resisting command, the goad or the whip; as, a stubborn ass or horse.