a. [ L. tenax, -acis, from tenere to hold. See Tenable, and cf. Tenace. ] 1. Holding fast, or inclined to hold fast; inclined to retain what is in possession; as, men tenacious of their just rights. [ 1913 Webster ] 2. Apt to retain; retentive; as, a tenacious memory. [ 1913 Webster ] 3. Having parts apt to adhere to each other; cohesive; tough; as, steel is a tenacious metal; tar is more tenacious than oil. Sir I. Newton. [ 1913 Webster ] 4. Apt to adhere to another substance; glutinous; viscous; sticking; adhesive. “Female feet, too weak to struggle with tenacious clay.” Cowper. [ 1913 Webster ] 5. Niggardly; closefisted; miserly. Ainsworth. [ 1913 Webster ] 6. Holding stoutly to one's opinion or purpose; obstinate; stubborn. [ 1913 Webster ] -- Te*na"cious*ly, adv. -- Te*na"cious*ness, n. [ 1913 Webster ] |