hardening Meaning, Definition & Usage

1. noun abnormal hardening or thickening of tissue
   
2. noun the process of becoming hard or solid by cooling or drying or crystallization
   solidifying; curing; set; solidification.
   
   • the hardening of concrete
   • he tested the set of the glue
3. noun the act of making something harder (firmer or tighter or more compact)
   
4. verb become hard or harder
   harden; indurate.
   
   • The wax hardened
5. verb make hard or harder
   harden; indurate.
   
   • The cold hardened the butter
6. verb harden by reheating and cooling in oil
   harden; temper.
   
   • temper steel
7. verb make fit
   harden; season.
   
   • This trip will season even the hardiest traveller
8. verb cause to accept or become hardened to; habituate
   harden; indurate; inure.
   
   • He was inured to the cold

WordNet