hardline

See also: hard-line and hard line

English

WOTD – 13 September 2015

Alternative forms

Etymology

From hard +‎ line.

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ˈhɑː(ɹ)dlaɪn/
  • Audio (General Australian):(file)

Noun

hardline (plural hardlines)

  1. (business) A retail product collection consisting primarily of hardware targeting the do-it-yourself customer.
    • 2002, John Cornell III, Hardlines FAQ (live original), Hardlines Digest:
      The Hardlines Digest is an Internet mailing list for members of the retail hardware and home center industry.
  2. (business) A retail product collection which includes many non-information goods, such as home appliances, housewares, and sporting goods, in addition to the DIY hardware which is the focus of the first definition, above.
  3. (telephony) A physical wire or cable connection; landline.

Adjective

hardline (not comparable)

  1. Uncompromising; rigidly holding to a set of beliefs.
    Smith's hardline approach to drugs gained him the support of many local citizens.
    • 1979, Alix Dobkins, Adventures in Women's Music:
      To come up with common, honorable, flexible, sensible, creative, meaningful, non-coercive "codes" or expectations of ethical behavior while avoiding laying down hard-line, guilt-inspiring "politically correct" rules and superficial judgements is no small feat.
    • 2023 December 19, Angelique Chrisafis, “France passes controversial immigration bill amid deep division in Macron’s party”, in The Guardian[1], →ISSN:
      Emmanuel Macron’s ruling centrist party was divided and soul-searching on Wednesday after a strict new immigration law was approved by parliament but contained so many hardline measures that the far-right Marine Le Pen claimed it as an “ideological victory” for her own anti-immigration platform.
  2. (business) Belonging to a hardline.
    hardline product
    • 2010, Hardline Services by SGS (live page), SGS Group:
      Safety, product quality and performance are prerequisites for all hardline products such as toys, cosmetics, furniture, jewellery, DIY, etc.

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