hard-set

A hen sits on her hard-set clutch of eggs in the nest.

Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Firmly fixed or established: "hard-set" describes something that is rigidly settled, unyielding, or difficult to change.
   • In a difficult or stubborn position: Refers to a situation or attitude that is entrenched or resistant to alteration.
   • Of an egg: In the context of poultry, "hard-set" means an egg that is in an advanced stage of incubation, where the embryo is well-developed and the shell is hard.

Usage Examples

• (His views are firmly fixed and unyielding.)
• (The discussions became stuck in a rigid deadlock.)
• (The eggs were in the later stages of incubation.)

Advanced Usage

• "hard-set against": strongly opposed to something.

  • She is hard-set against any changes to the curriculum. (She is firmly and stubbornly opposed to modifications.)

• "hard-set in one's ways": extremely fixed in one's habits or routines.

  • The elderly man was hard-set in his ways, refusing to use modern technology. (He was unyielding in his established habits.)

Variants and Related Words

• Hard-setness (n): the quality of being firmly fixed or stubborn.

  • His hard-setness made it impossible to negotiate. (His stubborn rigidity prevented discussion.)

• Set (adj): fixed or established in a particular way.

  • The rules are set and cannot be changed. (The rules are firmly decided.)

Synonyms

• Fixed: not able to be moved or changed.
• Rigid: stiff and unyielding.
• Stubborn: obstinately unyielding.
• Entrenched: firmly established and difficult to change.

Related Idioms

• Set in stone: unchangeable or permanently fixed.

  • The deadline is set in stone, so we cannot extend it. (The deadline is hard-set and unalterable.)

• Hard as nails: very tough or unyielding in character.

  • Her attitude was hard as nails; she never gave in. (She was as hard-set as a rigid material.)