GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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Found 2 definitions 

  1.       
Tough (?), a. [Compar. Tougher (?); superl. Toughest.] [OE. tough, AS. tōh, akin to D. taai, LG. taa, tage, tau, OHG. zāhi, G.  zähe, and also to AS. getenge near to, close to, oppressive, OS. bitengi.]
    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. ”  Milton.

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    2. Not easily broken; able to endure hardship; firm; strong; -- of objects and people; as, “tough sinews”.  Cowper.

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    A body made of brass, the crone demands, . . .

    Tough to the last, and with no toil to tire. Dryden.

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    The basis of his character was caution combined with tough tenacity of purpose. J. A. Symonds.

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    3. Not easily separated; viscous; clammy; tenacious; as, “tough phlegm”.

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    4. Stiff; rigid; not flexible; stubborn; as, “a tough bow”.

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    So tough a frame she could not bend. Dryden.

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    5. Severe; violent; as, “a tough storm”. [Colloq.] “ A tough debate. ”  Fuller.

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    6. Difficult to do, perform, or accomplish; as, “a tough job”.

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    7. Prone to aggressive or violent behavior; rowdyish; -- of people, or groups; as, “a tough neighborhood; a tough character”.

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    To make it tough, to make it a matter of difficulty; to make it a hard matter. [Obs.]  Chaucer.

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  2.       
tough (?), n. A person who is tough7; a ruffian; a thug; as, “a cluster of neighborhood toughs hanging out on the corner”.

    [PJC]

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