This flashcard defines 'case-harden' as a verb meaning to harden a ferrous alloy so the surface layer is harder than the interior, or to make someone callous or insensible. It also notes the term, though known since antiquity, entered English in the late 17th century and is often used figuratively.
Este flashcard define 'case-harden' como um verbo que significa endurecer uma liga de ferro para que a camada superficial seja mais dura que o interior, ou para tornar alguém insensível ou endurecido. Também nota que o termo, embora conhecido desde a antiguidade, entrou no inglês no final do século XVII e é frequentemente usado figurativamente.
| Word | case-harden |
|---|---|
| Date | April 26, 2009 |
| Type | verb |
| Syllables | KAYS-hahr-dun |
| Etymology | Although humans had learned how to case-harden wrought iron by about 1200 B.C.E., the word "case-harden" didn't forge its way into the English language until the late 17th century. The term comes from the hard surface layer, or case, that is created on some metals when they are exposed to carbon, ammonia, or other substances at very high temperatures. By the early 18th century, the term was being used figuratively. The participial "case-hardened" is also used as an adjective (as in "case-hardened steel" and "case-hardened hearts") and is now more common than the verb in both technical and nontechnical contexts. |
| Examples | All locks at the warehouse will be checked to ensure that they are case-hardened and in good working condition. |
| Definition | 1 : to harden (a ferrous alloy) so that the surface layer is harder than the interior 2 : to make callous or insensible |
Tags: wordoftheday::verb
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