Meaning & Definition of word "Hardening"
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Hardening
/ˈhɑːrdənɪŋ/
noun:
- 1. The process of becoming hard or more solid.
- Example: The hardening of concrete is crucial for the strength of the structure.
- 2. The act or process of making something more resilient or difficult to damage.
- Example: The hardening of policies is necessary to protect against cyber threats.
- 3. The process by which metals are treated to increase their hardness.
- Example: The hardening of steel through heat treatment significantly improves its durability.
verb:
- 1. To make or become hard or firmer.
- Example: The sun caused the clay to harden quickly.
- 2. To strengthen or reinforce against failure.
- Example: We need to harden our defenses to prevent breaches.
Etymology
From the verb 'harden', combining the suffix '-ing' to denote the action or process.
Common Phrases and Expressions
hardening of the arteries:
A medical condition characterized by the stiffening of blood vessels.
hardening off:
The process of acclimatizing plants to outdoor conditions.
hardening the resolve:
To make someone's determination more firm or unwavering.
Related Words
harden:
To make or become hard or harder.
hardened:
Made hard or tougher; often used in a figurative sense to describe emotional or psychological resilience.