strongheadedadj.
/ˌstrɒŋˈhɛdᵻd/, U.S. /ˈstrɔŋˈˌhɛdəd/, /ˈstrɑŋˈˌhɛdəd/ 1. = headstrong adj. Also figurative.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > decision > obstinacy or stubbornness > [adjective] > wilful
onwileOE
wilfulc1200
willesfulc1225
headstronga1398
wilsomea1400
headya1425
overthrowing?a1425
self-willya1425
self-willedc1450
sensual1524
wayward1528
headish1530
affectionate1534
self-will1562
strongheaded1579
hard-mouthed1610
brag-brained1648
self-wilful1648
overwilled1650
will-strong1654
cobby1785
willyart1791
brain-strong1863
1579 T. Churchyard Gen. Rehearsall Warres sig. C.ivv Ambrose Digbies horse was somewhat strong hedded, and bare his Maister awaie into the Frenche troupe.
1603 J. Florio tr. M. de Montaigne Ess. ii. vi. 216 One of my men..mounted vpon a yong strong-headed horse.
1651 N. Biggs Matæotechnia Medicinæ Praxeωs 194 The Limbus or Physitians purgatory, to which the venial, as well as rebellious and strong-headed disease must be turned over.
1754 Miss Canning & Gypsey 7 I have met with a great many strong-headed, (tho I dare not in Justice say sound-headed) Opposers of this my Opinion.
1834 T. Carlyle Sartor Resartus ii. iii. 42/2 This young warmhearted, strongheaded and wrongheaded Herr Towgood.
1915 W. P. Livingstone Mary Slessor iii. x. 83 They commiserated a Mother who was so strongheaded and wilful.
2009 Sun (Nexis) 8 May 47 Harvey is strong headed. If he wants to do something, he does it.
2. = strong-minded adj. 1. Also: having a powerful intellect.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > understanding > intelligence, cleverness > high intelligence, genius > [adjective]
deepc1175
profoundc1300
ingenious1483
of (a) great, deep, etc., reach1579
deep-seen1598
gulf-breasted1598
large-souled1638
large-minded1696
bright1707
strongheaded1789
genial1825
dungeonable1855
superintelligent1857
1789 J. Gough Hist. People called Quakers I. viii. 220 Though the fellow was too ignorant to answer him, he was strong-headed enough to detain him.
1849 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. II. vii. 222 Penn had never been a strongheaded man.
1864 J. W. Kaye Hist. Sepoy War I. i. iv. 185 Such love as any clear-sighted, strong-headed man may be supposed to have for truth above error.
1973 Vogue June 112/2 Tatum O'Neal makes her film debut playing the American woman at her strong-headed, firm-hearted best.
2000 R. Steinchen From Promised Land to Lucky Country 4 A strong-headed woman with excellent business acumen, who saw to the family's extensive economic welfare.
Derivatives
strongˈheadedness n.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > decision > obstinacy or stubbornness > [noun]
obstination?1387
pertinacyc1390
obstinacya1393
thronessa1400
stubbornnessc1440
obstinance?a1475
durenessc1480
pertinacity?1504
stomacha1513
stiffness1526
tenacity1526
persistence1546
obstacleness1548
obstinateness1561
stiffneckedness1570
self-mindedness1574
intractability1579
persistency1600
obstinancy1614
contumacy1619
stomachfulness1621
tenaciousness1642
pertinaciousness1651
irresignation1657
peremptoriness1747
mulishness1763
strongheadedness1793
dourness1794
unmovableness1818
stoutheartedness1826
bullet-headednessa1849
stalwartism1879
camelishness1883
thick and thin1884
stupidity1886
jusqu'auboutisme1917
die-hardism1922
obstinative-
1793 Sir M. Eden in Ld. Auckland's Corr. (1862) III. 145 Their repeated losses were owing to their own strongheadedness in remaining scattered, against all advice, in small corps.
1862 W. Bagehot Lit. Stud. (1895) II. 250 Nature requites itself for the strongheadedness of several generations by the weakness of one.
1880 S. Baring-Gould Mehalah II. vi. 113 You will give way in the end—your weakness will yield to his strongheadedness.
1936 Daily Gleaner (Kingston, Jamaica) 28 Dec. 26/6 To many of us who know the strong-headedness of the King, it seemed evident..that an impasse would arise.
2006 K. J. Waites Particular Friendships i. 43 Alike in our strong-headedness, we differ in our approach to convent life.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2015; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adj.1579