a. [ L. durus; akin to Ir. & Gael. dur &unr_;, stubborn, W. dir certain, sure, cf. Gr. &unr_; force. ] Hard; harsh; severe; rough; toilsome. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

The winter is severe, and life is dure and rude. W. H. Russell. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. [ F. durer, L. durare to harden, be hardened, to endure, last, fr. durus hard. See Dure, a. ] To last; to continue; to endure. [ Obs. ] Sir W. Raleigh. [ 1913 Webster ]

Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while. Matt. xiii. 21. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Lasting. [ Obs. ] Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Not lasting. [ Obs. ] Sir W. Raleigh. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. durus hard; -- so called because solid at ordinary temperatures. ] (Chem.) A colorless, crystalline, aromatic hydrocarbon, C6H2(CH3)4, off artificial production, with an odor like camphor. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ OF. duresse, du&unr_;, hardship, severity, L. duritia, durities, fr. durus hard. See Dure. ] 1. Hardship; constraint; pressure; imprisonment; restraint of liberty. [ 1913 Webster ]

The agreements . . . made with the landlords during the time of slavery, are only the effect of duress and force. Burke. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Law) The state of compulsion or necessity in which a person is influenced, whether by the unlawful restrain of his liberty or by actual or threatened physical violence, to incur a civil liability or to commit an offense. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. To subject to duress. “The party duressed.” Bacon. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Law) One who subjects another to duress Bacon. [ 1913 Webster ]