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adj. 1. Requiring considerable effort or skill; not easy to do or accomplish: "To entertain is far more difficult than to enlighten" (Anthony Burgess). 2. Not easy to endure; full of hardship or trouble; trying: fell upon difficult times. 3. Not easy to comprehend, solve, or explain: a difficult puzzle. 4. Not easy to please, satisfy, or manage: a difficult child. 5. Not easy to persuade or convince; stubborn. [Middle English, back-formation from difficulte, difficulty; see DIFFICULTY.] diffi·cult′ly adv. |
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