adj. 1. a. Extremely persistent in adhering to or doing something; stubborn or relentless: "tenacious defenders of their harsh and pitiless land" (Dee Brown). b. Characterized by extreme persistence; relentless or enduring: tenacious detective work; tenacious superstitions. 2. Holding together firmly; cohesive: a tenacious material. 3. Clinging to another object or surface; adhesive: tenacious lint. 4. Tending to retain; retentive: a tenacious memory. [From Latin tenāx, tenāc-, holding fast, from tenēre, to hold; see ten- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] te·nacious·ly adv. te·naci·ty (tə-năsĭ-tē), te·nacious·ness n. |
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