Obstinant

Part of speech: adjective

Definitions

1. Characterized by an unyielding adherence to one's own opinions, often irrationally resistant to reasoning or change
2. displaying a stubborn refusal to comply with authority or any form of persuasion
3. marked by persistent and unbending behavior that disregards norms or advice from others without consideration

Etymology: "Obstinant" is a rare variant of "obstinate," altered by the influence of the common ending "-ant," as in words like "tenant" or "servant." The original adjective "obstinate" comes from Latin "obstinatus," the past participle of "obstinare," meaning "to persist" or "to set one's mind firmly," built from "ob-" (against) and "stinare," a root meaning to stand firm or take a stand. The "-ant" ending probably attracted the word because English speakers often associate it with adjectives and nouns of agency, making the form sound like a natural partner to other "-ant" words. The result is a word that means the same as "obstinate" but carries a slightly different sound and rhythm, which is why it survives mainly as a curiosity in dictionaries and occasional writing.

Synonyms: stubborn, inflexible, unyielding

Antonyms: compliant, flexible, yielding