Har″dy (här″dy̆), a. [Compar.Hardier (–dĭ‐ẽr); 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.
Hap helpeth hardy man alway. Chaucer.
2. Confident; full of assurance; in a bad sense, morally hardened; shameless.
3. Strong; firm; compact.
blast may shake in pieces his hardy fabric. South.
4. Inured to fatigue or hardships; strong; capable of endurance; as, a hardy veteran; a hardy mariner.
5. Able to withstand the cold of winter.
☞ 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.