[kal-uh
s] 
| 1. | made hard; hardened. |
| 2. | insensitive; indifferent; unsympathetic: They have a callous attitude toward the sufferings of others. |
| 3. | having a callus; indurated, as parts of the skin exposed to friction. |
| 4. | to make or become hard or callous. |
| cal·lous (kāl'əs) adj.
To make or become callous. [Middle English, from Old French cailleux, from Latin callōsus, from callum, hard skin.] cal'lous·ly adv., cal'lous·ness n. Usage Note: Do not confuse the adjective callous, as in Years of dealing with criminals had left her callous, with the noun callus, as in I have a callus on my thumb. Also, do not confuse the verb callous, which means "to make or become callous," with the verb callus "to form or develop hardened tissue." |
callous cal·lous (kāl'əs)
adj.
Of, relating to, or characteristic of a callus or callosity.
callous
in dermatology, small area of thickened skin, caused by continued friction, pressure, or other physical or chemical irritants. In response to mild but repeated injury, the cells of the epidermis, the outermost horny layer of the skin, become more active, giving rise to a localized increase in horny tissue on the surface of the skin. Calluses are most frequently seen on the hands and feet. They are usually yellowish white, flat, and painless. When a callus is conical in shape, penetrating into the deeper layer of the skin and causing pain when pressed, it is called a corn
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