case-harden

verb

case-hard·en ˈkās-ˌhär-dᵊn

case-hardened; case-hardening; case-hardens

: to harden (a ferrous alloy) so that the surface layer is harder than the interior

: to make callous or insensible

case-hardened adjective

First Known Use

1677, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use of case-harden was in 1677

See more words from the same year

Style

“Case-harden.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/case-harden. Accessed 15 Dec. 2024.

Copy Citation

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

Get Word of the Day daily email!