harden

[hahr-dn] /ˈhɑr dn/
verb (used with object)
1.
to make hard or harder:
to harden steel.
2.
to make pitiless or unfeeling:
to harden one's heart.
3.
to make rigid or unyielding; stiffen:
The rigors of poverty hardened his personality.
4.
to strengthen or confirm, especially with reference to character, intentions, feelings, etc.; reinforce.
5.
to make hardy, robust, or capable of endurance; toughen.
6.
Military. to reinforce the structure of (a military or strategic installation) to protect it from nuclear bombardment.
verb (used without object)
7.
to become hard or harder.
8.
to become pitiless or unfeeling.
9.
to become rigid or unyielding; stiffen:
His personality hardened over the years.
10.
to become confirmed or strengthened:
His resistance hardened.
11.
to become inured or toughened:
The troops hardened under constant fire.
12.
Commerce.
  1. to cease to fluctuate; firm:
    When the speculators withdrew from the market, the prices hardened.
  2. to rise higher.
Origin
1150-1200; Middle English; see hard, -en1
Related forms
hardenable, adjective
hardenability, noun
overharden, verb
preharden, verb (used with object)
reharden, verb
unharden, verb (used with object)
unhardenable, adjective
Synonyms
1. solidify, indurate; petrify, ossify. 4. fortify, steel, brace, nerve.
Antonyms
1. soften. 4. weaken.

Harden

[hahr-dn] /ˈhɑr dn/
noun
1.
Sir Arthur, 1865–1940, English biochemist: Nobel Prize 1929.
Examples from the web for harden
  • Eventually the swollen parts of the skin will begin to harden and fold over the nail.
  • Cement requires a moist, controlled environment to gain strength and harden fully.
British Dictionary definitions for harden

harden1

/ˈhɑːdən/
verb
1.
to make or become hard or harder; freeze, stiffen, or set
2.
to make or become more hardy, tough, or unfeeling
3.
to make or become stronger or firmer: they hardened defences
4.
to make or become more resolute or set: hardened in his resolve
5.
(intransitive) (commerce)
  1. (of prices, a market, etc) to cease to fluctuate
  2. (of price) to rise higher
See also harden off, harden up

harden2

/ˈhɑːdən/
noun
1.
a rough fabric made from hards
Word Origin and History for harden
n.

c.1200 (replacing Old English heardian) "to make (something) hard," from hard + -en (1). Meaning "to become hard" is late 14c. Related: Hardened (figurative sense of "unfeeling" is from late 14c.); hardening.