hardened
UK: ˈhɑːdənd | US: ˈhɑːrdənd
adj. made or become hard or harder
adj. emotionally toughened; unfeeling
vt. past tense of "harden" (to make or become hard)
The word "hardened" originates from Old English "heardian," meaning "to make hard," derived from the root "hard" (firm, solid). The suffix "-en" is a Germanic verb-forming element indicating causation or transformation (e.g., "soften," "darken"). The "-ed" suffix marks the past participle, giving the word its adjectival sense of "having been made hard." Over time, "hardened" evolved metaphorically to describe emotional toughness, reflecting physical rigidity translated into psychological resilience.
The hardened steel resisted all attempts to bend it.
Years of hardship had hardened her heart.
The clay was left in the sun until it hardened completely.
His hardened attitude made it difficult to negotiate.
The soldiers were hardened by years of combat.