robustousadj.
/rə(ʊ)ˈbʌstəs/, U.S. /roʊˈbəstəs/, /rəˈbəstəs/ Now rare.
= robustious adj. (in various senses).
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > the body > bodily constitution > bodily strength > [adjective] > robust
strongeOE
hardOE
stalworthc1175
starka1250
stiff1297
steel to the (very) backa1300
stalworthyc1300
wightc1300
stable13..
valiant1303
stithc1325
toughc1330
wrast1338
stoura1350
sadc1384
wighty14..
derfc1440
substantialc1460
well-jointed1483
felon1487
robust1490
stalwart1508
stoutya1529
robustous?1531
rankc1540
hardy1548
robustious1548
stout1576
rustical1583
rustic1620
iron1638
robustic1652
swankinga1704
strapping1707
rugged1731
solid1741
vaudy1793
flaithulach1829
ironbark1833
swankie1838
tough as (old) boots or leather1843
skookum1847
hard (also tough, sharp) as nails1862
hard-assed1954
nails1974
?1531 tr. Erasmus Treat. perswadynge Man Patientlye to Suffre sig. L.iii All the yuels..of whiche your longe & robustous lyfe..hath experience.
1597 J. Gerard Herball ii. 315 Vnto robustous or strong bodies twelue sponfuls may be giuen.
1655 S. Hartlib Reformed Virginian Silk-worm 23 She is not a nice curious kinde of Silkworme; but stout and robustous, that will require little care or attendance.
1681 P. Rycaut tr. B. Gracián y Morales Critick 185 The Bonds.., though but feeble, were yet the Chains of the most robustous Champions.
1728 Epist. Sapho to Philenis 2 His Chin, which roughens with increasing Hairs, Harsh Courtship and robustous Change declares.
1760 tr. A. De La Sale Fifteen Comforts of Matrimony xviii. 120 The weaker sex..suffer..because they are not of so robustous a constitution.
1817 Ld. Byron Let. 10 May (1976) V. 223 I am very well, quite recovered..got large—ruddy—& robustous to a degree which would please you.
1919 Smart Set May 82/1 The others had been..robustous fellows, with far less suavity in their speech.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2010; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adj.?1531