Callus

/ˈkæl əs/

Meaning & Definition

noun

A thickened and hardened area of skin that develops in response to repeated friction or pressure.

After months of playing the guitar, she developed a callus on her fingertips.

A growth of tissue that forms over a wound, especially in response to injury or surgery.

The doctor noted the formation of a callus around the bone fracture as it healed.

In botany, a mass of cells that forms in a wound and can develop into new tissue.

The plant began to grow a callus at the cut surface, indicating it was healing well.

verb

To develop a callus or to cause a thickening of the skin.

He needs to callus his hands more if he wants to handle the heavy lifting without pain.

Derived from Latin 'callus', meaning 'hardened skin'.

callus on the hands

A term used to describe the hard skin that forms on the hands due to manual labor.

callus removal

The process of treating and eliminating excess thickened skin.

callusing up

The act of forming calluses, often used in the context of building up hand toughness.

corn

A small, painful area of thickened skin on the feet or toes.

bunions

A painful swelling on the first joint of the big toe.

hyperkeratosis

A condition of thickened skin.

To toughen up.

He needs to callus up if he wants to survive the boot camp.

To ignore feelings or sensitivities.

After years in the industry, she learned to callus her feelings to handle criticism.