adamant
/ˈædəmənt/
adjective
Origin
Ancient Greek
ἀδάμας (adamas) — unconquerable, invincible
Overview
Meaning Now
- refusing to be persuaded or to change one's mind; stubborn or unyielding
- a legendary stone or mineral of impenetrable hardness
Literal older meaning
unconquerable; invincible
Language path
Ancient Greek → Latin → Old French → English
Earliest form
adamant
Earliest period
Middle English, 13th century
Journey
In antiquity, 'adamas' referred to the hardest substance known, often associated with steel or diamond. Medieval writers often conflated the 'adamant' stone with the loadstone (magnet) due to their perceived mystical powers of attraction and impenetrability.
Evolution
- Ancient Greek
ἀδάμας (adamas)
“the hardest metal or stone; invincible”
From 'a-' (not) + 'daman' (to tame/conquer).
- Latin
adamantem
“hardest metal; diamond”
- Old French
adamant
“hard stone; loadstone”
- Middle English
adamant
“a legendary diamond; impenetrable hardness”
- Modern English
adamant
“inflexible or unyielding in attitude”
The figurative sense of character developed in the 16th century.
Connections
Word parts
a-
prefix
not, un-
daman
root
to tame, conquer
Related across languages
French
diamant
diamond
Latin
adamantinus
made of adamant
Related words
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External references use DefinedTerm semantics.