a. [ Compar. Hardier superl. Hardiest. ] [ F. hardi, p. p. fr. OF. hardir to make bold; of German origin, cf. OHG. hertan to harden, G. härten. See Hard, a. ] 1. Bold; brave; stout; daring; resolute; intrepid. [ 1913 Webster ]
Hap helpeth hardy man alway. Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]
2. Confident; full of assurance; in a bad sense, morally hardened; shameless. [ 1913 Webster ]
3. Strong; firm; compact. [ 1913 Webster ]
[ A ] blast may shake in pieces his hardy fabric. South. [ 1913 Webster ]
4. Inured to fatigue or hardships; strong; capable of endurance; as, a hardy veteran; a hardy mariner. [ 1913 Webster ]
5. Able to withstand the cold of winter. [ 1913 Webster ]
☞ Plants which are hardy in Virginia may perish in New England. Half-hardy plants are those which are able to withstand mild winters or moderate frosts. [ 1913 Webster ]