Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary - hard

 I. adjective  Etymology: Middle English, from Old English heard; akin to Old High German hart ~, Greek kratos strength  Date: before 12th century  1.  a. not easily penetrated ; not easily yielding to pressure  b. of cheese not capable of being spread ; very firm  2.  a. of liquor  (1) having a harsh or acid taste  (2) strongly alcoholic  b. characterized by the presence of salts (as of calcium or magnesium) that prevent lathering with soap ~ water  3.  a. of or relating to radiation of relatively high penetrating power ; having high energy ~ X rays  b. having or producing relatively great photographic contrast a ~ negative  4.  a. metallic as distinct from paper ~ money  b. of currency convertible into gold ; stable in value  c. usable as currency paid in ~ cash  d. of currency readily acceptable in international trade  e. being high and firm ~ prices  5.  a. firmly and closely twisted ~ yarns  b. having a smooth close napless finish a ~ worsted  6.  a. physically fit in good ~ condition  b. resistant to stress or disease  c. free of weakness or defects  7.  a.  (1) firm, definite reached a ~ agreement  (2) not speculative or conjectural ; factual ~ evidence  (3) important or informative rather than sensational or entertaining ~ news  b. close, searching gave a ~ look  c. free from sentimentality or illusion ; realistic good ~ sense  d. lacking in responsiveness ; obdurate, unfeeling a ~ heart  8.  a.  (1) difficult to bear or endure ~ luck ~ times  (2) oppressive, inequitable sales taxes are ~ on the poor a ~ restriction  b.  (1) lacking consideration, compassion, or gentleness ; callous a ~ greedy landlord  (2) incorrigible, tough a ~ gang  c.  (1) harsh, severe, or offensive in tendency or effect said some ~ things  (2) resentful ~ feelings  (3) strict, unrelenting drives a ~ bargain  d. inclement ~ winter  e.  (1) intense in force, manner, or degree ~ blows  (2) demanding the exertion of energy ; calling for stamina and endurance ~ work  (3) performing or carrying on with great energy, intensity, or persistence a ~ worker  f. most unyielding or thoroughgoing the ~ political right  9.  a. characterized by sharp or harsh outline, rigid execution, and stiff drawing  b. sharply defined ; stark ~ shadows  c. lacking in shading, delicacy, or resonance ~ singing tones  d. sounding as in arcing and geese respectively — used of c and g  e. suggestive of toughness or insensitivity ~ eyes  10.  a.  (1) difficult to accomplish or resolve ; troublesome ~ problems the true story was ~ to come by  (2) difficult to comprehend or explain a ~ concept  b. having difficulty in doing something ~ of hearing  c. difficult to magnetize or demagnetize  11. being at once addictive and gravely detrimental to health such ~ drugs as heroin  12. resistant to biodegradation ~ detergents ~ pesticides such as DDT  13. being, schooled in, or using the methods of the natural sciences and especially of the physical sciences a ~ scientist  14. of money contributed (as by individuals or political action committees) directly to a particular candidate or campaign Synonyms:  ~, difficult, arduous mean demanding great exertion or effort. ~ implies the opposite of all that is easy farming is ~ work. difficult implies the presence of obstacles to be surmounted or puzzles to be resolved and suggests the need of skill, patience, or courage the difficult ascent of the main face of the mountain. arduous stresses the need of laborious and persevering exertion the arduous task of rebuilding.  II. adverb  Date: before 12th century  1.  a. with great or utmost effort or energy ; strenuously were ~ at work the children played ~  b. in a violent manner ; fiercely  c. to the full extent — usually used in nautical directions steer ~ aport  d. to an immoderaTE DEGREE hitting the bottle ~  e. in a searching, close, or concentrated manner stared ~ at me  2.  a. in such a manner as to cause ~ship, difficulty, or pain  b. with rancor, bitterness, or grief took the defeat ~  3. in a firm manner ; tightly  4. to the point of ~ness frozen ~  5. close in time or space stands ~ by the river