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Glite Dictionary
🧊 Emotionally toughened 🔩 Hard outer metal
case-hardened

case-hardened

7.3
With a hard outer surface and a softer inner core to make it stronger
  • adjective
  • /ˈkeɪsˌhɑrdənd/
  • Specialized
translation icon : acero tratado
  • The tools were made from case-hardened steel, ensuring they would last longer under heavy use.

Examples

  • This case-hardened metal frame can withstand extreme conditions without losing its strength.

  • The manufacturer claims that the case-hardened finish on these metal parts provides excellent protection against wear and tear.

  • I sent them off to have them all case hardened and I called the convincer.

Synonyms

hard-shelled
vscase-hardened
1 3.6

Having a hard outer covering that protects what is inside, like a crab or nut

indicates a hardened surface protecting a softer interior in treated metals
tough-skinned
vscase-hardened
4.3

Has a hard outer skin that does not break easily

describes a treated outer surface over a softer inner core for durability

How Hard

hardened
4.1
case-hardened
  • Specialized
7.3
soft
552 1.0

Surface Forms

case-hardened positive

Morphology

case-hardened = case-harden (transparent) = case + harden + ed

The adjective is a regular past-participle formation from the verb 'case-harden', directly describing an object with a hardened outer layer.

Etymology

Case-hardened comes from a metal treatment where the case or 'outer layer' is made hardened while the inside stays softer. So case-hardened metal parts have a hard surface for strength and a softer core to avoid breaking.