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harden

 [hahr-dn]  

hard·en

   [hahr-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.
EXPAND
6.
Military. to reinforce the structure of (a military or strategic installation) to protect it from nuclear bombardment.
COLLAPSE
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.
EXPAND
12.
Commerce. (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.
COLLAPSE

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Harden is one of our favorite verbs.
So is kibitz. Does it mean:
chat, to converse
to run away hurriedly; flee.
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Origin:
1150–1200; Middle English; see hard, -en1

Related forms
hard·en·a·ble, adjective
hard·en·a·bil·i·ty, noun
o·ver·hard·en, verb
pre·hard·en, verb (used with object)
re·hard·en, verb
EXPAND
un·hard·en, verb (used with object)
un·hard·en·a·ble, adjective
COLLAPSE

Synonyms
1. solidify, indurate; petrify, ossify. 4. fortify, steel, brace, nerve.

Antonyms
1. soften. 4. weaken.

Dictionary.com Unabridged

Har·den

   [hahr-dn]
noun
Sir Arthur, 1865–1940, English biochemist: Nobel prize 1929.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
Cite This Source Link To harden
Collins
World English Dictionary
harden1 (ˈhɑːdən)
 
—vb
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.  (intr) commerce
 a.  (of prices, a market, etc) to cease to fluctuate
 b.  (of price) to rise higher

harden2 (ˈhɑːdən)
 
—n
a rough fabric made from hards

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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