tougha.[OE. tough, AS. th, akin to D. taai, LG. taa, tage, tau, OHG. zhi, G. zhe, and also to AS. getenge near to, close to, oppressive, OS. bitengi.]1. Having the quality of flexibility without brittleness; yielding to force without breaking; capable of resisting great strain; as, the ligaments of animals are remarkably tough.(Milton.)2. Not easily broken; able to endure hardship; firm; strong; -- of objects and people; as, tough sinews.(Cowper.)A body made of brass, the crone demands, . . .
Tough to the last, and with no toil to tire. (Dryden.)The basis of his character was caution combined with tough tenacity of purpose. (J. A. Symonds.)3. Not easily separated; viscous; clammy; tenacious; as, tough phlegm.()4. Stiff; rigid; not flexible; stubborn; as, a tough bow.()So tough a frame she could not bend. (Dryden.)5. Severe; violent; as, a tough storm.(Fuller.)6. Difficult to do, perform, or accomplish; as, a tough job.()7. Prone to aggressive or violent behavior; rowdyish; -- of people, or groups; as, a tough neighborhood; a tough character.()To make it tough, to make it a matter of difficulty; to make it a hard matter. [Obs.] Chaucer.()n. A person who is tough{7}; a ruffian; a thug; as, a cluster of neighborhood toughs hanging out on the corner.()