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—hardenable, adj. —hardenability, n./hahr"dn/, v.t.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, esp. with reference to character, intentions, feelings, etc.; reinforce.5. to make hardy, robust, or capable of endurance; toughen.6. Mil. to reinforce the structure of (a military or strategic installation) to protect it from nuclear bombardment.v.i.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. Com. (of a market, prices, etc.)a. to cease to fluctuate; firm: When the speculators withdrew from the market, the prices hardened.b. to rise higher.[1150-1200; ME; see HARD, -EN1]Syn. 1. solidify, indurate; petrify, ossify. 4. fortify, steel, brace, nerve.Ant. 1. soften. 4. weaken.
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Universalium. 2010.