Hardy \Har"dy\ (h[aum]r"d[y^]), a. [Compar. Hardier
   (-d[i^]*[~e]r); superl. Hardiest.] [F. hardi, p. p. fr. OF.
   hardir to make bold; of German origin, cf. OHG. hertan to
   harden, G. h[aum]rten. See Hard, a.]
   1. Bold; brave; stout; daring; resolute; intrepid.
      [1913 Webster]

            Hap helpeth hardy man alway.          --Chaucer.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. Confident; full of assurance; in a bad sense, morally
      hardened; shameless.
      [1913 Webster]

   3. Strong; firm; compact.
      [1913 Webster]

            [A] blast may shake in pieces his hardy fabric.
                                                  --South.
      [1913 Webster]

   4. Inured to fatigue or hardships; strong; capable of
      endurance; as, a hardy veteran; a hardy mariner.
      [1913 Webster]

   5. Able to withstand the cold of winter.
      [1913 Webster]

   Note: 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.
         [1913 Webster]