Definitions

from The Century Dictionary.

  • Drawn when cold, as wire through a disk.

Etymologies

Sorry, no etymologies found.

Support

Help support Wordnik (and make this page ad-free) by adopting the word hard-drawn.

Examples

  • And then sounded the clangor of strife and the hard-drawn panting of combat.

    People of the Dark Howard, Robert E. 2005

  • That fearful battle was fought in silence save for the hissing of hard-drawn breath.

    People of the Dark Howard, Robert E. 2005

  • Through a blur of stinging sweat, Strongfist could see the bodies of his companions strewn along the riverside like flotsam; and each hard-drawn breath sucked the stench of the slaughterhouse into his lungs.

    The Falcons of Montabard Chadwick, Elizabeth 2004

  • The hard-drawn breath signalled stiffness and pain, but nothing mortal.

    One Corpse Too Many Peters, Ellis, 1913-1995 1979

  • It seemed somehow to Dinney as though a sweet peace filled the room now that his mother's hard-drawn breath was no longer there.

    Gloria and Treeless Street Annie Hamilton Donnell

  • For a moment he held her so, staring down, at her, his breath hard-drawn between his teeth; then swiftly, with a stifled exclamation he stooped his head, kissing her savagely, bruising, crushing her lips beneath his own.

    The Splendid Folly Margaret Pedler

  • It seemed somehow to Dinney as though a sweet peace filled the room now that his mother's hard-drawn breath was no longer there.

    Gloria and Treeless Street Annie Hamilton Donnell

  • Once, twice she heard the sound of a man's hard-drawn sob, and the dry agony of it wrung her heart.

    The Lamp of Fate Margaret Pedler

  • Long they fought, and fiercely, till the breath came hard-drawn and short, and the red blood ran fast from both combatants.

    Stories of the Border Marches Jeanie Lang

  • In the suspension bridge iron or steel can be used in its strongest form, namely hard-drawn wire.

    Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 4, Part 3 "Brescia" to "Bulgaria" Various

Comments

Log in or sign up to get involved in the conversation. It's quick and easy.