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.

2. Not easily broken; able to endure hardship; firm; strong; as, tough sinews. Cowper.

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

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

3. Not easily separated; viscous; clammy; tenacious; as, tough phlegm.

4. Stiff; rigid; not flexible; stubborn; as, a tough bow.

So tough a frame she could not bend. Dryden.

5. Severe; violent; as, a tough storm. [Colloq.] " A tough debate. " Fuller.

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

-- Webster's unabridged 1913