Etymology Dictionary

HARD,  firm, solid, severe.  (E.)   M.E. hard, Chaucer, C.T. 229 (and common).—A.S. heard, John, vi. 60. + Du. hard. + Dan. haard. + Swed. hård. + Icel. hardr. + Goth. hardus. + G. hart. + Gk. κρατύς, strong; cf. κρατερός, γαρτερός, valiant, stout.   β. There is a little doubt about the relationship of Gk. κρατύς; if it be right, the forms are all from a base KART, from ✔KAR, to make.   See Curtius, i. 189.   Der. hard-ly, hard-ness = A.S. heardnes, Mark, x. 5; hard-en = M.E. hardnen, Ormulum, 1574, 18219, which is an extension of the commoner M.E. harden, of which the pp. yharded occurs in Chaucer, C.T. 10559; hard-en-ed; hard-ship, M.E. heardschipe, Ancren Riwle, p. 6, l. 9; hard-ware; hard-featured, hard-fisted, hard-handed, hard-hearted, hard-mouthed, hard visaged; also hard-y, q.v.