stiff-necked

See also: stiffnecked

English

Etymology

From stiff + neck + -ed.

Adjective

stiff-necked (comparative more stiff-necked, superlative most stiff-necked)

  1. (literally) Having a stiff neck; suffering from torticollis
  2. (figuratively) Stubborn and arrogant.
    1611 For the LORD had said unto Moses, Say unto the children of Israel, Ye are a stiffnecked people: I will come up into the midst of thee in a moment, and consume thee: therefore now put off thy ornaments from thee, that I may know what to do unto thee. — Exodus 33:5 KJV
    1952 For the LORD had said to Moses, "Say to the people of Israel, `You are a stiff-necked people; if for a single moment I should go up among you, I would consume you. So now put off your ornaments from you, that I may know what to do with you.'" — ibid., RSV

Translations

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