CASE-HARDEN

v.t.To harden the outer part or superficies, as of iron, by converting it into steel. This may be done by putting the iron into an iron box, with a cement, and exposing it, for some hours, to a red heat.

case-harden

case-hard en ▶verb [ with obj. ] (often as adj. case-hardened ) harden the surface of (a material ): case-hardened sandstones. • give a hard surface to (iron or steel ) by carburizing it: a case-hardened steel anvil. • make (someone ) callous or tough: a case-hardened politician.

case-hardened

case-hardened ▶adjective (of a material ) having a hard surface. • (of iron or steel ) having been given a hard surface by being carburized. • made callous or tough by experience: a case-hardened politician. DERIVATIVES case-harden verb