Har·dy a. [Compar. Hardier superl. Hardiest.]
  1. Bold; brave; stout; daring; resolute; intrepid.
     Hap helpeth hardy man alway.   --Chaucer.
  2. Confident; full of assurance; in a bad sense, morally hardened; shameless.
  3. Strong; firm; compact.
     [A] blast may shake in pieces his hardy fabric.   --South.
  4. Inured to fatigue or hardships; strong; capable of endurance; as, a hardy veteran; a hardy mariner.
  5. Able to withstand the cold of winter.
  Note: ☞ Plants which are hardy in Virginia may perish in New England. Half-hardy plants are those which are able to withstand mild winters or moderate frosts.
  hardy
       adj 1: having rugged physical strength; inured to fatigue or
              hardships; "hardy explorers of northern Canada";
              "proud of her tall stalwart son"; "stout seamen";
              "sturdy young athletes" [syn: stalwart, stout, sturdy]
       2: resolute and without fear [syn: doughty, fearless]
       3: able to survive under unfavorable conditions; "strawberries
          are hardy and easy to grow"; "camels are tough and hardy
          creatures"
       n 1: United States slapstick comedian who played the pompous and
            overbearing member of the Laurel and Hardy duo who made
            many films (1892-1957) [syn: Oliver Hardy]
       2: English novelist and poet (1840-1928) [syn: Thomas Hardy]
       [also: hardiest, hardier]