Tough (?), a. [Compar. Tougher (?); superl. Toughest.] [OE. tough, AS. tōh, akin to D. taai, LG. taa, tage, tau, OHG. zāhi, G. zähe, and also to AS. getenge near to, close to, oppressive, OS. bitengi.] 1. Having the quality of flexibility without brittleness; yielding to force without breaking; capable of resisting great strain; as, the ligaments of animals are remarkably tough. "Tough roots and stubs. " Milton.

2. Not easily broken; able to endure hardship; firm; strong; as, tough sinews. Cowper.

A body made of brass, the crone demands, . . .
Tough to the last, and with no toil to tire.

The basis of his character was caution combined with tough tenacity of purpose.

3. Not easily separated; viscous; clammy; tenacious; as, tough phlegm.

4. Stiff; rigid; not flexible; stubborn; as, a tough bow.

So tough a frame she could not bend.

5. Severe; violent; as, a tough storm. [Colloq.] " A tough debate. " Fuller.

Tough (?), a. [Compar. Tougher (?); superl. Toughest.] [OE. tough, AS. tōh, akin to D. taai, LG. taa, tage, tau, OHG. zāhi, G. zähe, and also to AS. getenge near to, close to, oppressive, OS. bitengi.] 1. Having the quality of flexibility without brittleness; yielding to force without breaking; capable of resisting great strain; as, the ligaments of animals are remarkably tough. "Tough roots and stubs. " Milton.

2. Not easily broken; able to endure hardship; firm; strong; as, tough sinews. Cowper.

A body made of brass, the crone demands, . . .
Tough to the last, and with no toil to tire.

The basis of his character was caution combined with tough tenacity of purpose.

3. Not easily separated; viscous; clammy; tenacious; as, tough phlegm.

4. Stiff; rigid; not flexible; stubborn; as, a tough bow.

So tough a frame she could not bend.

5. Severe; violent; as, a tough storm. [Colloq.] " A tough debate. " Fuller.

• strong and resilient; sturdy
       The tent, made of tough canvas, held up to many abuses.
  
• (of food) difficult to cut or chew
       To soften a tough cut of meat, the recipe suggested simmering it for hours.
  
• rugged or physically hardy
       Only a tough species will survive in the desert.
  
• (of weather etc) harsh or severe
  
• rowdy or rough
       A bunch of the tough boys from the wrong side of the tracks threatened him.
  
• (of questions etc) difficult or demanding
       This is a tough crowd.
  
• (slang) too bad!
       If you don't like it, tough!
  
• (material science) Undergoing plastic deformation before breaking. See also toughness.
  
• A person who obtains things by force; a thug or bully.
       They were doing fine until they encountered a bunch of toughs from the opposition.