toughenv.
/ˈtʌfn/, U.S. /ˈtəfən/ 1. transitive. To make tough.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > quantity > increase in quantity, amount, or degree > [verb (transitive)] > increase in strength or force
afforce1425
forcec1430
reforcec1450
fortify1470
reinforcec1485
stiffen?a1500
strengthen1548
toughen1582
invigorate1646
hardena1677
recruit1678
emphasize1800
bastion1822
beef1941
the mind > will > decision > constancy or steadfastness > adhere constantly or steadfastly to [verb (transitive)] > make steadfast
strongOE
strengthc1200
stablea1300
resolvea1398
sadc1400
nourish?a1425
settle1435
pitha1500
stiffen?a1500
steel1581
toughen1582
ballastc1600
efforta1661
fix1671
balance1685
to fix the mercury1704
instrengthen1855
to put stuffing into1977
the world > life > the body > bodily constitution > bodily strength > strengthening > make strong [verb (transitive)] > make robust
harden?1532
induratec1575
toughen1582
endure1596
stouten1834
the world > matter > constitution of matter > strength > make strong or tough [verb (transitive)]
toughen1703
ruggedize1947
the world > action or operation > easiness > aid, help, or assistance > strengthening or confirmation of immaterial things > strengthen or confirm immaterial things [verb (transitive)]
strengha1175
strengthc1200
astrengthc1250
strength1340
confirmc1386
affirma1393
forcec1430
renforce?1473
corrobore1485
re-enforcec1485
reinforcec1485
stronga1500
consolidate?a1547
strengthen1546
sinewize1600
sinew1625
confortate1651
nervate1682
scaffolda1693
corroborate1698
substantiate1792
nerve1856
stouten1887
affirm1899
toughen1901
to put stuffing into1938
1582 R. Stanyhurst tr. Virgil First Foure Bookes Æneis iii. 50 O my son Æneas, with Troian destenye toughned.
1703 R. Neve City & Countrey Purchaser 213 To toughen his Nails that were brittle.
1738 G. Smith tr. Laboratory i. 1 Experiments in Refining,..Allaying and Toughening of Gold.
1901 F. W. Maitland Rede Lect. 27 Any scheme better suited to harden and toughen a traditional body of law.
1906 Mem. Abp. Temple I. 471 The experience of life had toughened the fibre of thought.
2. intransitive. To become tough.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > constitution of matter > strength > not give way [verb (intransitive)] > become tough
toughen1707
1707 J. Mortimer Whole Art Husbandry (1721) I. 185 Lay them in some Room three or four Weeks or more, that they may cool, give and toughen.
1801 R. Southey Thalaba II. ix. 173 Ere the green beauty of their brittle youth Grows brown, and toughens in the summer sun.
Derivatives
toughened adj., n., and adj. /ˈtʌf(ə)nd/
/ˈtʌf(ə)nd/ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > materials > derived or manufactured material > glass and glass-like materials > [adjective] > toughened or tempered
well-annealed1606
annealed1684
toughened1876
armoured1899
wired1908
1876 Encycl. Brit. V. 754/2 Toughened glass invented.
1894 Chicago Advance 25 Oct. 118/1 [They] went away..with a toughened propensity to be bad.
toughener n. /ˈtʌf(ə)nə(r)/ one who or that which toughens.
/ˈtʌf(ə)nə(r)/ one who or that which toughens.ΘΚΠ
the world > life > the body > bodily constitution > bodily strength > strengthening > [noun] > one who or that which > who or which makes robust or tough
toughener1895
1895 C. W. Lyman in Voice (N.Y.) 5 Dec. 7/2 Recommended as a toughener of the constitution.
toughening n. /ˈtʌf(ə)nɪŋ/
/ˈtʌf(ə)nɪŋ/ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > constitution of matter > strength > [noun] > toughness > making tough
toughening1868
1868 F. H. Joynson Metals in Constr. 45 The toughening of cast-iron.
1869 E. J. Reed Shipbuilding xxi. 317 The toughening effect produced on a mass of Steel when it is heated, and plunged into a bath of oil.
1881 Trans. Amer. Inst. Mining Engineers 1880–1 9 187 Toughening, refining, as of copper or gold.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1913; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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