Hardy (härd&ybreve_;), a. [Compar. Hardier (-d&ibreve_;&etilde_;r); superl. Hardiest.] [F. hardi, p. p. fr. OF. hardir to make bold; of German origin, cf. OHG. hertan to harden, G. härten. See Hard, a.] 1. Bold; brave; stout; daring; resolute; intrepid.
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Hap helpeth hardy man alway. Chaucer.
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2. Confident; full of assurance; in a bad sense, morally hardened; shameless.
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3. Strong; firm; compact.
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[A] blast may shake in pieces his hardy fabric. South.
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4. Inured to fatigue or hardships; strong; capable of endurance; as, a hardy veteran; a hardy mariner.
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5. Able to withstand the cold of winter.
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&hand_; 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.
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