THE FIRST WORD

intransigent

PRONUNCIATION:

(in-TRAN-si-jent) 

MEANING:

adjective: Unwilling to compromise, especially from an extreme position.
noun: One who refuses to compromise.

ETYMOLOGY:

Via Spanish/French, from Latin in- (not) + transigere (to settle). Ultimately from the Indo-European root ag- (to drive, draw), which is also the fount of such words as act, agent, agitate, litigate, synagogue, and ambassador. Earliest documented use: 1879.

USAGE:

"Both remain intransigent in their respective positions without any real effort to negotiate in a democratic spirit."
People Expect Democratic Practice from Two Top Parties; Financial Express (Bangladesh); Dec 26, 2013.