n. 1. one who stubbornly adheres to traditional and outdated views. Syn. -- traditionalist. [ WordNet 1.5 ]
2. one who vigorously defends an apparently hopeless position, a lost cause, etc. [ PJC ]
a. stubbornly and vigorously resisting in the face of seemingly hopeless odds; as, diehard opposition. Syn. -- never-say-die. [ PJC ]