TENA'CIOUS, adjective [Latin tenax, from teneo, to hold.] 1. Holding fast, or inclined to hold fast; inclined to retain what is in possession; as men tenacious of their just rights. Men are usually tenacious of their opinions, as well as of their property. 2. Retentive; apt to retain long what is committed to it; as a tenacious memory. 3. Adhesive; apt to adhere to another substance; as oily, glutinous or viscous matter. Few substances are to tenacious as tar. 4. Niggardly; close fisted.
Source: Webster's 1828 American Dictionary ↗ · public-domain · returned verbatim, no AI