hidebound

[ hahyd-bound ]

adjective

1. narrow and rigid in opinion; inflexible:

   a hidebound pedant.

2. oriented toward or confined to the past; extremely conservative:

   a hidebound philosopher.

3. (of a horse, cow, etc.) having the back and ribs bound tightly by the hide.

hidebound

/ ˈhaɪdˌbaʊnd /

adjective

1. restricted by petty rules, a conservative attitude, etc
2. (of cattle, etc) having the skin closely attached to the flesh as a result of poor feeding
3. (of trees) having a very tight bark that impairs growth

Other Words From

• hideboundness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of hidebound¹

First recorded in 1550–60; hide ² + -bound ¹

Example Sentences

The GOP is still struggling to shed its hidebound, out-of-touch image, especially with voters not yet drawing Social Security.

From The Daily Beast

Change is a necessary part of life, even in hidebound Washington.

From The Daily Beast

Is it not possible that you are not yet awake, or, God pity you, that you are hidebound in the dogmatism of your bit of thinking.

From Project Gutenberg

We are very hidebound in these conventions, we Moors; no other ways command honor.

From Project Gutenberg

"But you mustn't think I'm absolutely hidebound," she went on.

From Project Gutenberg

Now this young zealot was a man of imagination, hidebound only in his traditions.

From Project Gutenberg

I have never cared much about the world's opinion, even in the days when I was most hidebound in prejudice.

From Project Gutenberg