Adamant
Meaning
Firmly refusing to be persuaded or to change one's mind.
Origin
The word "adamant" traces its formidable strength back to ancient Greece, where adámas (ἀδάμας) meant "unconquerable" or "untameable." This term was first applied to the hardest known metal or stone, often identified with the diamond, a substance so resilient it seemed to defy all attempts at breakage. Picture the awe of early civilizations encountering this jewel, a material literally 'unbreakable.' This idea of insurmountable toughness gradually transcended the physical realm. By the time it entered English, "adamant" had come to describe a person whose resolve was as unyielding and impenetrable as that legendary stone, embodying an unwavering firmness of spirit that could not be swayed.
Examples
- She was adamant that they would not leave until the work was completely finished.
- Despite the overwhelming evidence, he remained adamant about his innocence.