case-harden

verb

case-hard·​en ˈkās-ˌhär-dᵊn 

case-hardened; case-hardening; case-hardens

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

Word History

First Known Use

1677, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for case-harden

• cardan
• garden
• pardon

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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