case-harden
verb
case-hard·en
ˈkās-ˌhär-dᵊn 
case-hardened; case-hardening; case-hardens
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
Word History
First Known Use
1677, in the meaning defined at sense 1
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Cite this Entry
“Case-harden.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/case-harden. Accessed 3 Dec. 2023.
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Kids Definition
case-harden
verb
case-hard·en
ˈkās-ˌhärd-ᵊn
: to harden (an iron alloy) so that the surface layer is harder than the interior
case-hardened
adjective
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