Tough a. [Compar. Tougher superl. Toughest.]
 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. ”
 2. Not easily broken; able to endure hardship; firm; strong; -- of objects and people; as, tough sinews.
 A body made of brass, the crone demands, . . .
 Tough to the last, and with no toil to tire.   --Dryden.
    The basis of his character was caution combined with tough tenacity of purpose.   --J. A. Symonds.
 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.   --Dryden.
 5. Severe; violent; as, a tough storm. [Colloq.] “ A tough debate. ”
 To make it tough, to make it a matter of difficulty; to make it a hard matter. [Obs.]
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