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case-harden

verb case-hard·en \ ˈkās-ˌhär-dᵊn \
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Definition of case-harden

transitive verb
1 : to harden (a ferrous alloy) so that the surface layer is harder than the interior
2 : to make callous or insensible
—

case-hardened

adjective

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First Known Use of case-harden

1677

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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