GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

last match results

Found 2 definitions

1.       
   Harden (härdˈ'n), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Hardened (-'nd); p. pr. & vb. n. Hardening (-'n‑ĭng).] [OE. hardnen, hardenen.]
   1. To make hard or harder; to make firm or compact; to indurate; as, “to harden clay or iron”.
   
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   2. To accustom by labor or suffering to endure with constancy; to strengthen; to stiffen; to inure; also, to confirm in wickedness or shame; to make unimpressionable. “Harden not your heart.”  Ps. xcv. 8.
   
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   I would harden myself in sorrow. Job vi. 10.
   
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2.       
   Hardened (-'nd), a.
   1. Made hard, or harder, or compact; made unfeeling or callous; made obstinate or obdurate; confirmed in error or vice.
   
   
   2. Rendered resistant to the effects of nearby explosions; as, “a hardened missile silo; hardened warhead electronics”.
   
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   3. Experienced and inured to hardship; as, “hardened combat troops”.
   
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   4. Strongly habituated to a certain type of behavior, and unlikely to change; as, “a hardened criminal”.  Usually used only of behavior perceived negatively.
   
   [PJC]
   
   Syn. -- Impenetrable; hard; obdurate; callous; unfeeling; unsusceptible; insensible. See Obdurate.
   
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