sturdy
/ˈstɜːrdi/
adjective
Origin
Old French
estourdi — dazed, stunned, reckless
Overview
Meaning Now
- Strongly and solidly built.
- Showing determination, resolution, or strength of character.
Literal older meaning
In early use, it meant 'reckless' or 'violent'.
Language path
Old French → Middle English → English
Earliest form
stourdi
Earliest period
13th century
Journey
The word originally derived from the Old French 'estourdir' (to daze or stun). In Middle English, it was often used to describe someone who was 'stunningly' bold or recklessly defiant. By the 16th century, the meaning evolved from a character defect (recklessness) to a positive physical attribute (durability).
Evolution
- Old French (c. 12th century)
estourdir
“to stun or daze”
Past participle of estourdir.
- Middle English (c. 1300)
stourdi
“reckless, rash, violent”
- Middle English (c. 1400)
sturdy
“obstinate, stubborn”
- Early Modern English (c. 1600)
sturdy
“strong, hardy, robust”
Semantic narrowing to physical strength.
Connections
Related across languages
Old French
estourdi
stunned
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External references use DefinedTerm semantics.