hidebound
pronunciation
How to pronounce hidebound in British English:
UK [ˈhaɪdbaʊnd]
How to pronounce hidebound in American English:
US [ˈhaɪdˌbaʊnd]
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- Adjective:
- stubbornly conservative and narrow-minded
Word Origin
- hidebound
- hidebound: [16] The term hidebound was originally applied to cattle so emaciated that their skin (or hide) was dry and stiff and clung closely to their bones. The idea of being trapped immovably inside one’s skin had led by the early 17th century to the meaning we are most familiar with today: ‘set immovably in one’s opinions, narrow-minded’.
- hidebound (adj.)
- 1550s, from hide (n.1) + past tense of bind (v.). Original reference is to emaciated cattle with skin sticking closely to backbones and ribs; metaphoric sense of "restricted by narrow attitudes" is first recorded c. 1600.
Example
- 1. Why have taxis become emblematic of the battle to free hidebound economies ?
- 2. The dramatic rise of the yen is forcing even hidebound exporters to consider moving offshore .
- 3. In acquitting the jews of jesus 's death , the villagers make the play an indictment of religious-cum-political authority . A vengeful pontius pilate and a hidebound jewish hierarchy are to blame .
- 4. And in joining the tpp , japan would be forced to reform hidebound parts of its economy , such as services , which would stimulate growth .
- 5. He particularly loathes the hidebound education ministry , which he loves to call " stupid " .