Dictionary
harden
verb hard·en \ˈhär-dən\
: to become hard or firm or to make (something) hard or firm
: to become more definite and strongly felt or to make (something) more definite and strongly felt
: to make (someone) hard : to make (someone) less emotional and less likely to feel sorry for other people
hard·enedhard·en·ing \ˈhärd-niŋ, ˈhär-dən-iŋ\
Full Definition of HARDEN
transitive verb
1
: to make hard or harder
2
: to confirm in disposition, feelings, or action; especially : to make callous <hardened his heart>
3
4
: to protect from blast, heat, or radiation (as by a thick barrier or placement underground)
intransitive verb
1
: to become hard or harder
2
a : to become firm, stable, or settled b : to assume an appearance of harshness or severity <her face hardened at the thought>
3
: to become gradually acclimatized to unfavorable conditions —often used with off <plants hardened off before the first frost>
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First Known Use of HARDEN
13th century
Related to HARDEN
Harden
biographical name Har·den \ˈhär-dən\
Definition of HARDEN
Sir Arthur 1865–1940 Eng. chem.
Harden
biographical name
Definition of HARDEN
Maximilian 1861–1927 originally Felix Ernst Witkowski Ger. writer
HARDENED Defined for Kids
harden
verb hard·en \ˈhär-dən\
hard·enedhard·en·ing
Definition of HARDEN for Kids
1
: to make or become hard or harder <By now the cement has hardened.>
2
: to make or become hardy or strong <Years of tough work had hardened his muscles.>
3
: to make or become stubborn or unfeeling <She hardened her heart and refused to forgive him.>
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