different between immovable vs stubborn

English

Alternative forms

• immoveable

Etymology

From Middle English, equivalent to im- +? movable.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /??mu?v?b(?)l/

Adjective

immovable (comparative more immovable, superlative most immovable)

1. incapable of being physically moved; fixed
2. steadfast in purpose or intention; unalterable, unyielding
   • 1994, Nelson Mandela, Long Walk to Freedom, Abacus 2010, p. 101:

     I pleaded with him not to resign, but he was immovable.

3. not capable of being affected or moved in feeling; impassive
   • 1690, John Dryden, Epistle Dedicatory to Don Sebastian

     How much happier is he […] who ent'ring on himself remains immovable, and smiles at the madness of the Dance

4. (law) not liable to be removed; permanent in place or tenure; fixed

Antonyms

• movable

Related terms

Translations

Noun

immovable (plural immovables)

1. that which can not be moved; something which is immovable

Translations

References

• immovable in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913.

English

Etymology

From Middle English stiborne, stibourne, stoburn, stoburne, styburne, stiborn. Origin uncertain.

One theory is that the origin may come from *stybor, *stibor, from Old English stybb (“a stump, stub”) + adj. formative -or as in Old English bitor, English bitter.

Pronunciation

• (General American) IPA^(key): /?st?b?n/
• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /?st?b?n/
• Rhymes: -?b?(?)n
• Hyphenation: stub?born

Adjective

stubborn (comparative stubborner, superlative stubbornest)

1. Refusing to move or to change one's opinion; obstinate; firmly resisting; persistent in doing something.

2. Of materials: physically stiff and inflexible; not easily melted or worked.

Synonyms

• willful, headstrong, wayward, obstinate, obdurate, contrary, disobedient, insubordinate, undisciplined, adamant, unyielding, rebellious
• See also Thesaurus:obstinate, perseverant, persistent, enduring

Derived terms

• stubbornly
• stubbornness

Translations

Noun

stubborn (uncountable)

1. (informal) Stubbornness.
2. A disease of citrus trees characterized by stunted growth and misshapen fruit, caused by Spiroplasma citri.

Further reading

• stubborn in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913.
• stubborn in The Century Dictionary, New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911.
• stubborn at OneLook Dictionary Search