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caseharden

[ keys-hahr-dn ]
/ ˈkeɪsˌhɑr dn /
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See synonyms for: caseharden / casehardened / casehardening on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object)
Metallurgy. to make the outside surface of (an alloy having an iron base) hard by carburizing and heat treatment, leaving the interior tough and ductile.
to harden in spirit so as to render insensible or insensitive to external impressions or influences; make callous.
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Origin of caseharden

First recorded in 1670–80; case2 + harden
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use caseharden in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for caseharden

case-harden

verb (tr)
metallurgy to form a hard surface layer of high carbon content on (a steel component) by heating in a carburizing environment with subsequent quenching or heat treatment
to harden the spirit or disposition of; make callousexperience had case-hardened the judge
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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