widerspenstig

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German

Etymology

From Middle High German widerspene, widerspān, 15th c. Compare Modern German wider- and spannen (to tension).

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ˈviːdɐˌʃpɛnstɪç/ (standard)
  • IPA(key): /ˈviːdɐˌʃpɛnstɪk/ (common form in southern Germany, Austria, and Switzerland)
  • Audio:(file)
  • Hyphenation: wi‧der‧spens‧tig

Adjective

widerspenstig (strong nominative masculine singular widerspenstiger, comparative widerspenstiger, superlative am widerspenstigsten)

  1. recalcitrant, renitent, rebellious, unruly, wayward, obstinate, unmanageable
    Synonyms: aufsässig, bockig, trotzig, störrisch, widerborstig
    • 1893, Berthold Auerbach, Schwarzwälder Dorfgeschichten, Fünfter Band. - Kapitel 26:
      Sie hörte es nur allzubald, denn der Bauer war rasend ob des widerspenstigen Sohnes. Niemand wagte zu widersprechen außer dem Dekan.
      (please add an English translation of this quotation)

Declension

Derived terms

Further reading