robust Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. adjective sturdy and strong in form, constitution, or construction
    • a robust body
    • a robust perennial
  2. adjective satellite marked by richness and fullness of flavor
    full-bodied; rich; racy.
    • a rich ruby port
    • full-bodied wines
    • a robust claret
    • the robust flavor of fresh-brewed coffee
  3. adjective satellite strong enough to withstand or overcome intellectual challenges or adversity
    • the experiment yielded robust results
    • a robust faith
  4. adjective satellite rough and crude
    • a robust tale

WordNet

Ro*bust" adjective
Etymology
L. robustus oaken, hard, strong, fr. robur strength, a very hard kind of oak; cf. Skr. rabhas violence: cf. F. robuste.
Definitions
  1. Evincing strength; indicating vigorous health; strong; sinewy; muscular; vigorous; sound; as, a robust body; robust youth; robust health.
  2. Violent; rough; rude.
    While romp-loving miss Is hauled about in gallantry robust. Thomson.
  3. Requiring strength or vigor; as, robust employment. Locke. Syn. -- Strong; lusty; sinewy; sturdy; muscular; hale; hearty; vigorous; forceful; sound. -- Robust, Strong. Robust means, literally, made of oak, and hence implies great compactness and toughness of muscle, connected with a thick-set frame and great powers of endurance. Strong denotes the power of exerting great physical force. The robust man can bear heat or cold, excess or privation, and toil on through every kind of hardship; the strong man can lift a great weight, can give a heavy blow, and a hard gripe. "Robust, tough sinews bred to toil." Cowper.
    Then 'gan the villain wax so fierce and strong, That nothing may sustain his furious force. Spenser.

Webster 1913