| 释义 |
hardenn.adj. Origin: Probably formed within English, by derivation. Etymons: hurds n., -en suffix4. Etymology: Probably < herd- , hard- (in Middle English herdes, hardeshurds n.) + -en suffix4, although perhaps compare the Old English and Middle English weak plural forms cited at hurds n. Perhaps originally an adjective, although the use as noun is attested slightly earlier than the use as adjective. Compare harn n.2, harn adj.The forms with final g probably show development of an excrescent consonant and secondary association with -ing suffix3. Now historical. A. n.the world > textiles and clothing > textiles > textile fabric or an article of textile fabric > textile fabric > textile fabric made from specific material > made from flax, hemp, or jute > [noun] > made from tow or hards c1430 in J. T. Fowler (1898) I. 60 Pro 8 uln. panni vocat. Herdyng, 2s. 1462 J. Paston in (2004) I. 393 Nat withstandyng þer herden at Wyggenalle shall ben don this day. 1496 in W. H. Stevenson (1885) III. 38 Duo parea linthiaminum de harden. 1570 in S. Tymms (1850) 156 One payer of sheets of hurden. 1615 G. Markham Eng. Huse-wife in ii. iii. 97 That which comes from the flaxe being a little towed again in a paire of wool cards, will make a course harding. 1657 A. B. tr. J. Buxtorf xxv. 248 For soft feather and down-bed they embrace some bone pinching mattress, and for sheets of the choisest lawne, those which are hurden. a1708 T. Ward (1716) ii. 235 A shirt he had made of coarse harden, A collar-band not worth a farthing. 1775 M. Flinders in (2007) I. 25 Hardon for a close Bag 2 Yards & ¾…10d. 1849 F. T. Dinsdale 76 Kytle, a loose, short coat, without laps, usually made of ‘harden’. 1881 D. C. Murray II. xxiv. 257 The tumbled herden which did duty for linen. 1904 J. R. Magrath I. 73 Bags made of harden, a coarse fabric made from the hards or coarser parts of flax or hemp. 2005 M. Threlfall-Holmes iii. 102 Price was the most important factor in the prior's purchase of such items as hardyn, sackcloth, and haircloth. B. adj.a1451 in J. Raine (1865) III. 98 (MED) Item, iiij linthiamina de herdyn-clath, xxj d. 1462 in J. Raine (1855) II. 261 xl. yerds of lyncloth, xl. yerds of herden cloth. 1524 in W. C. Dickinson (1937) 23 iij ellis of gret hardin lenyng. 1545 R. Ascham ii. f. 8v An herden or wullen cloth waxed. a1642 H. Best (1984) 70 A course hemp or harden cloath. 1678 Corshill Baron-Court Bk. in (1884) IV. 146 Ane spanill of linine washen yarne and three heir of hardine yarne knitt about it. 1794 W. Pitt 163 There is no considerable public manufacture of linen, but a good deal of hurden, hempen, and flaxen cloth got up in private families. 1861 24 371 36-inch strong Hurden linen. 1879 G. F. Jackson 204 The waiver's maden a nice piece o' 'uckaback of the 'erden yorn—it'll do mighty well for the men's tablecloths. 1959 T. S. Willan iii. 72 In 1601–2 Boston was importing largely salt, wine, fish, deals, and a little linen and harden cloth. 2002 P. Edwards in S. Murdoch & A. Mackillop x. 254 To avoid being sacked the city had to provide the Covenanting forces with 1,200 pairs of shoes and 3,000 ells of harden cloth, ticking or sail canvas to make tents. the world > textiles and clothing > textiles > textile fabric or an article of textile fabric > textile fabric > textile fabric made from specific material > made from flax, hemp, or jute > [adjective] > made from tow or hards 1468 in J. Raine (1865) III. 162 (MED) De iiij paribus le hardeshetes, pret. j paris xx d. 1522 in J. Raine (1884) V. 147 A hardyn apperon. 1542 in J. Raine (1853) 31 Item vij score of lyn garne, and iiij score of hardyng garne vijs. viijd. a1652 R. Brome New Acad. iii. i. 47 in (1659) The hurden smock with lockram upper-bodies. 1678 T. Wilson 127 The poor man must have the wooden Trencher, and the hurden Towel. a1763 W. Shenstone Ess. in (1765) II. 124 The country-fellow..appears genteel..when he is hedging in his hurden frock. 1799 J. Sinclair XXI. 143 The richer class of farmers..contented themselves with a harden shirt. 1824 M. M. Sherwood ii. 2 They wore a linsey petticoat and herden apron. 1878 S. H. Miller & S. B. J. Skertchly iv. 127 The mice charmed the harden poke and let out the chisels. 1910 W. G. Collingwood 12 For a poor curate, with..harden sark..tobacco is to be come by but rarely. 2013 L. Lethbridge (new ed.) v. 42 Even the poorest farm maids were garbed in a herden apron made from old flour sacking that had been washed and boiled. the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > wearing clothing > [adjective] > wearing specific material 1654 J. Cleveland (new ed.) 74 The..ringleaders of the hurden rustick raggamuffins. Compounds1601 P. Holland tr. Pliny II. xix. i. 4 After they [sc. the flax stalks] be well dried, they are to be beaten and punned..with an hurden mallet or tow-beetle. a1652 R. Brome City Wit iv. ii. sig. E6v, in (1653) You hurden smock'd sweaty sluttery. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2015; most recently modified version published online March 2022). hardenv. Origin: Formed within English, by derivation. Etymons: hard adj., -en suffix5. Etymology: < hard adj. + -en suffix5. Compare Old Icelandic harðna to become hard or harder in consistency or texture. This verb largely superseded earlier hard v. I. General uses. 1. the world > matter > constitution of matter > hardness > make hard [verb (transitive)] c1175 (Burchfield transcript) l. 1487 Þu..grindesst itt [sc. corn]. & cnedesst itt & harrdnesst itt wiþþ hæte. ?a1425 tr. Guy de Chauliac (N.Y. Acad. Med.) f. 53 (MED) In vlcerez a bityng colde indureþ, i. hardneþ [?c1425 Paris hardeneþ; L. indurat], þe skyn. ?1534 tr. Erasmus sig. C.viv Who had nat leauer eate Sturgion, trout, or lamprey: than bacon hardened with smoke, or tough mutton? 1555 R. Eden tr. Peter Martyr of Angleria iii. ii. f. 97v Pykes and dartes hardened at the endes with fyere. 1632 J. Story tr. ii. 12 Fishes dryed and hardened with the frost. 1683 M. H. 117 Ice it [sc. the cake] with a brush all over, and put it in the Oven to harden the Iceing. 1723 J. Clarke tr. I. i. xxiii. 159 The Heat must be but moderate, to harden Bodies. 1774 T. Jefferson Let. 9 Dec. in (1950) I. 155 They inform me my window frames and glass are ready,..it being necessary to detain them about a month to harden the puttying. 1818 Manners & Customs 479/1 It [sc. snow] had fallen on a ground already hardened by the frost. 1860 7 Dec. 68/1 Solution to be applied to pickers, picker-bands, straps, sole leather..to harden them. 1908 J. W. Tyrrell (ed. 3) 222 The two hundred mile tramp..had hardened our muscles so much that..we were now in first-class walking trim. 1960 L. D. Stamp (ed. 5) 24 The molten rock bakes and hardens the rocks through which it passes—it changes their form by its contact. 2014 R. Sharma liv. 249 We add..the lye to harden the liquid. the world > matter > constitution of matter > hardness > become hard [verb (intransitive)] society > occupation and work > materials > types of material generally > [verb (intransitive)] > become soft or hard society > occupation and work > materials > derived or manufactured material > metal > metal in specific state or form > [verb (intransitive)] > undergo tempering or hardening c1350 Psalter (BL Add. 17376) in K. D. Bülbring (1891) lxxxix. 6 Florische he in þe mornyng, and passe; falle he at heuen, and harden [v.r. harde] and wax he drie. a1475 (Sloane) (1862) 37 (MED) In playand water þou kast hit schalle To harden. 1566 I. A. tr. Pliny sig. G.ijv The hony at the first is as cleare as water,..the twentie day it fatteneth, then it hardneth. 1596 J. Dalrymple tr. J. Leslie (1888) I. 47 A mater that wirkes out of the stanes, and hardnes throuch the calde nature of the Sey. 1630 J. Makluire 84 In women the pappes hardneth; and groweth greater. 1661 R. Boyle Hist. Fluidity & Firmnesse ii, in 236 Coral grows soft at the bottom of the Sea, but when it is brought up into the open Air,..it hardens into a stony Concretion. 1716 J. Mortimer (ed. 4) II. xi. iv. 9 Their Roots are very apt to Mortifie or harden and wither by the wind. 1796 J. Morse (new ed.) II. 114 As they are of a petrifying quality, they harden..into various forms. 1833 J. Lardner II. 314 Pure iron may..be superficially converted into steel, so as to harden, temper, and receive a fine polish. 1847 Ld. Tennyson iii. 59 That we might..watch The sandy footprint harden into stone. 1901 M. C. Dickerson i. 27 The exterior hardens, becomes shining emerald green, and gradually the various yellow spots take on a metallic luster. 1974 J. Seymour (new ed.) vii. 91 If a man does not undertake some really hard and even violent manual work fairly often he becomes soft, his arteries harden, his heart weakens. 2013 22 Apr. 73/1 A thin layer of waterproof sediment that will slowly harden into stone. the mind > language > statement > maintaining or upholding as true > maintain or uphold as true [verb (transitive)] > stiffly c1175 (Burchfield transcript) l. 18219 Teȝȝ wolldenn bliþeliȝ. Harrdnenn ȝiff þatt teȝȝ mihhtenn. Þatt teȝȝre bapptisstess fulluhht. Wass bettre. a1400 (a1325) (Vesp.) l. 12239 He hardens [Fairf. arguis, Trin. Cambr. argueþ of] suilkin thing þat i ne wat end ne beginning. the mind > emotion > courage > encouragement > encourage or embolden [verb (transitive)] the mind > will > motivation > motivate [verb (transitive)] > incite or instigate c1175 (Burchfield transcript) l. 1574 Itt hardneþþ all. Þe gode manness heorrte. To þolenn..All þatt tatt iss unnsellþe. a1425 (?a1300) (Linc. Inn) (1952) 1194 (MED) He..hardneþ al his men. 1487 (a1380) J. Barbour (St. John's Cambr.) xii. 500 The horsis with spuris hardnyt thai. 1566 W. Painter tr. O. Landi i. f. 18 Loue doeth darken their vnderstanding, and in thinges wherin they should be moost fearefull, doeth harden and encorage them. 1598 tr. J. de Serres 206 Timoleon de Cosse..hardened on by the Duke of Anious fauour,..vndertooke a gallant enterprise. 1654 J. Cleveland (new ed.) 138 Greyndcob's stubbornnesse hardens on the Clownes. 1738 5 The Faculty hardened by the length of Time, apparent Success, and daily Experience in the old Way, opposed the Innovation with all their Might. 1826 W. Scott I. vi. 161 He hardened himself..to the act. 1860 18 Feb. 398/2 Captain White was about a field behind me, hollering all the way, ‘Go along, old fellows. Go and ketch him, gentlemen!’ for he was always for me, and kept hardening me on. 1917 ‘J. E. Buckrose’ xv. 179 He said if she was turned out of her lodgings they'd take her in, and Mrs. Chubb said nothing for fear of hardening him on..but to herself she says, ‘On'y over my dead body.’ 4. the mind > emotion > absence of emotion > make emotionally unfeeling [verb (transitive)] > make hard or callous c1350 Psalter (BL Add. 17376) in K. D. Bülbring (1891) xciv. 8 Ne willeþ ȝe nouȝt harden [L. obdurare] ȝour hertes. a1382 (Douce 369(1)) (1850) Psalms xciv. 8 Wileth not hardne ȝoure hertis. a1400 (a1325) (Vesp.) l. 5908 (MED) Þe hert o pharaon..es mar Hardend for mi sau þan ar. ?1545 J. Bale f. 140 The ordynaunce of the lorde, which all at one tyme prouyded Moyses to gyde his peple and yet hardened Pharao agaynst them. 1611 John xii. 40 He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart. View more context for this quotation 1663 E. Waterhouse i. 11 To keep up the Prince's spirit, to harden him against despondency. 1712 R. Steele No. 456. ⁋1 Men hardened beyond the Sense of Shame or Pity. 1735 G. Berkeley §390 The disbelief of a future state hardeneth rogues against the fear of death. 1825 E. Bulwer-Lytton 54 I hardened my heart against his voice. 1884 8 Mar. 384/1 There is the thought of his recent conduct to harden her. 1910 E. Wharton 24 Mar. (1988) 205 He has had to harden himself against ‘nerves’. 1966 A. L. Rowse 30 July (2003) 371 The years hardened him, made him notably crotchety and difficult. 2005 S. Rushdie 369 She hardened her heart. ‘Attend to your business,’ she told him coldly. the mind > goodness and badness > harmfulness > hard-heartedness > [verb (intransitive)] the mind > emotion > absence of emotion > lack sensitivity [verb (intransitive)] > be callous or hard-hearted > become callous or hard-hearted the mind > will > decision > obstinacy or stubbornness > be or become obstinate or stubborn [verb (intransitive)] > be or become inflexible 1577 A. Golding tr. J. Calvin xxviii. f. 198 Euery man hardeneth more and more, tyll they fall intoo such excesse, that they become as monsters. 1667 J. Milton i. 572 Now his heart Distends with pride, and hardning in his strength Glories. View more context for this quotation 1780 W. Cowper 590 There hardening by degrees, till double steeled, Take leave of nature's God, and God revealed. 1873 A. I. Thackeray xii. 105 Though he might have softened to Lady S., he now hardened to himself. 1903 L. Steffens in May 29/1 If he had been alone he probably would have hardened with years. 1943 Ld. Alanbrooke Diary 1 Mar. in (2001) 386 Winston..said: ‘We must start by treating them [sc. the Turks] purry-purry puss-puss, then later we shall harden!’ 2011 19 Nov. c7/5 Always amoral, Chanel in her 60s had hardened into an angry ego monster. the mind > will > decision > obstinacy or stubbornness > make obstinate or stubborn [verb (transitive)] > make obdurate the world > action or operation > behaviour > customary or habitual mode of behaviour > do habitually [verb (transitive)] > accustom (a person) > inveterate a1425 (a1400) (Galba & Harl.) (1863) l. 9606 (MED) It semes þat he es wittles, Or over mykel hardend in wikkednes. c1540 (?a1400) (2002) f. 152 His hert was so hardonet all in hote loue. 1571 E. Grant tr. Plutarch sig. F.ij Sluggishe seruauntes hardened in idlenesse adread stripes, and with these are incyted and dryuen to laboure. 1615 J. Stephens 272 Sacke and strong liquours hardens him in his custome. 1686 H. More 20 To obfirm or harden us in our unbelief of..Transubstantiation. 1722 D. Defoe 271 When once we are harden'd in Crime, no Fear can affect us. 1749 D. Hartley ii. iv. §4. 412 If indeed a Man's Despair should make him..harden himself in a careless Stupidity with respect to his future Condition. 1860 E. B. Pusey 84 Man..obduring or hardening himself in sin. 1885 6 May 4/7 It would..confirm and harden her in a policy of settled hostility to this country. 1961 L. Fermi xxi. 384 The news that the Western powers contemplated a ‘democratic bloc’ hardened the duce in his philo-German policy. 2001 S. Sunder Das viii. 65 The other view holds that punishment never really modifies the behaviour of the recipient but only hardens him in his criminal pursuits. 6. Of a person. the world > life > the body > bodily constitution > bodily strength > strengthening > make strong [verb (transitive)] > make robust ?1532 T. Elyot tr. Plutarch (new ed.) ix. sig. D.iijv Punisshement is meter for villaynes and slaues,..whiche with trauaile be hardned. 1577 B. Googe tr. C. Heresbach i. f. 6v Being hardened with labour in peace, they might the better be able to abyde the trauayle of warres. 1632 J. Hayward tr. G. F. Biondi 161 Nerves hardened with the continuall exercise of the sling. 1662 R. Allestree 35 To prepare him for Canaan by a Wilderness, to harden him with discipline, that so the luxuries and the effeminacies of a Court might not emasculate and melt him. 1730 B. Wilson tr. J. A. de Thou Life in II. ii. p. xxxi So hardened by Military Service, that he could drink the generous Wines of this Country..unmixed with Water, without Intemperance or the least Disturbance. 1793 T. Beddoes 162 It is not true..that cold hardens children as it hardens steel. 1875 J. Ruskin Let. in (1887) 34 [They] never put me through any trials to harden me, or give me decision of character. 1920 G. M. Overton iii. i. 210 You're in need of conditioning, some sort of outdoor life, something that will harden you. 1996 S. Shwartz (1999) 380 It was a very hard ride (though hardly impossible for people like Asherah and her father, who were hardened by travel along the caravan routes). 1865 C. Kingsley Hereward in Feb. 83/2 The valiant lad..hardened into a valiant man. 1884 D. Pae 62 He said they would soon harden to the work. 1887 55 1649/1 He was not by any means exhausted yet; in fact, he hardened as he went on. 1903 E. Childers xiii. 131 I hardened to the life, grew salt tough and tolerably alert. 1926 T. E. Lawrence (subscribers' ed.) xv. 77 Soon they hardened, and became self-reliant. 2012 M. Lackey & J. Mallory ii. 63 Vieliessar's body hardened to her new work and her mind grew quick. 7. Of a (usually immaterial) thing. Frequently with into. the world > relative properties > quantity > increase in quantity, amount, or degree > [verb (intransitive)] > in intensity or degree 1625 S. Purchas I. ii. v. 323 In time..the Bonzian discipline, and studies melted into pleasures, hardned into Armes, and ranged into robberies. 1659 W. Montagu i. 4 Virtue is allwayes gentle and pliant to the strength of reason. It weakens it selfe when it hardens into obstinancy. 1713 24 Mar. (1714) I. 45 Restless Reflections, which by long Neglect have hardened into a settled Consideration. 1863 ‘G. Eliot’ II. xxvi. 330 That cold dislike..was hardening within him. 1891 92 99/2 This natural sequence hardened first into custom and then into law. 1954 E. Taylor 113 Lately, trivial bickering had hardened into direct animosity. 1970 E. J. March II. v. 190 Should the gale continue to harden it was necessary to lighten the boats before dragging them along the shore to a safer place. 2001 16 July 27/3 It was an article of faith—table talk hardening into gospel—that Glamour editor Bonnie Fuller was a lock for the job. the world > relative properties > quantity > increase in quantity, amount, or degree > [verb (transitive)] > increase in strength or force the world > food and drink > farming > gardening > management of plants > [verb (transitive)] > harden off a1677 T. Manton (1681) cxlviii. sig. Iiiiii4 Diseases looked to at first are more easie to be cured, whereas otherwise they grow desperate. So sins, before hardned into a custome. 1733 A. Pope iii. 195 Thy Reason..shall..Entangle Justice in her Net of Law, And Right too rigid harden into Wrong. 1835 T. Burgess Pref. p. xi A tendency to weaken the faith of believers, and to harden the infidelity of unbelievers. 1852 Aug. 174 The principal secret of preserving half-hardy plants over the winter with indifferent accommodation, lies in their being rooted early and gradually hardened afterwards. 1874 J. R. Green iv. §3. 177 The rise of a lawyer class was everywhere hardening customary into written rights. 1921 S. A. Reeve i. 29 Its earlier slender allegiance..was hardened into true unity only by the telegraph, the railway..and the Civil War. 1976 F. Howerd (1977) iii. 45 There was even talk of hardening the charge into one of revolutionary activities. 2013 (Nexis) 9 Aug. I hardened my game plan and was mentally focused... I didn't want to lose the match. II. Specialist and technical uses. the world > relative properties > wholeness > mutual relation of parts to whole > fastening > condition of being fast bound or firmly fixed > make fast [verb (transitive)] ?1523 J. Fitzherbert f. xxxixv For with the wynding of the edderynges thou dost lose thy stakes: and therfore they must nedes be driuen newe, and hardened agayne. 1769 W. Falconer Transl. French Terms Retenue, fastened, or hardened home in its place. 1882 G. S. Nares (ed. 6) 205 Studding-sail tacks..will..want hardening out. 1920 E. W. Blocksidge iv. 134 After the nails are driven, the rooves are placed over the point of the nail and hardened home against the planking. society > occupation and work > industry > working with specific materials > working with metal > work with metal [verb (transitive)] > harden, temper, or anneal 1560 W. Ward tr. G. Ruscelli 11 (heading) To harden Yron or Steele. 1638 A. Read xv. 109 Iron may bee hardened, if it be quenched in vineger, and the juyce of the Rettish. 1699 W. Dampier ii. ii. 57 We..harden the Steels of our Fire-Arms..in a Logwood-fire [or else]..with Burton-wood or the Grape-tree. c1709 M. Prior 86 Those who..Bend stubborn steel, and harden gleening armour. 1797 VIII. 310/1 There are several ways of hardening iron and steel, as by hammering them, quenching them in cold water, &c. 1831 J. Holland I. 289 The blades, after being hardened, are directly carried to the grinding-mill. 1884 W. H. Greenwood i. 8 The above-mentioned elements harden malleable iron, and probably affect its weldability. 1957 VI. 906/2 After the blades are forged or cut out they are hardened by heating in a suitable furnace. 1977 D. Lavender xviii. 299 The change began with a search for vanadium, prime alloy for hardening steel. 2004 (Nexis) 1 Aug. 172 This tool consists of a steel body that has been hardened, profile ground and galvanic-plated. society > trade and finance > monetary value > price > fluctuation in price > [verb (intransitive)] > rise (of prices) 1673 J. Ray N. Countrey Words in 24 The Market Hardens, i.e. Things grow dear. ?1745 26 What with the filthy Wars, and the strange Condition of Batcherlorship, now so much the Fashion, there is no getting a Man; the Market hardens so, as they say in the North. 1828 W. Carr (ed. 2) Harden, to advance in price; ‘t' corn rayther hardens’. 1882 4 May Prices are hardening on the Continent. 1916 1 Jan. 5/2 On firmer advices from America the market hardened again and closed on the 24th at £84 10s. cash. 1976 2 Nov. 20/5 Whitbread edged up from 50p to 51p and Brooke Bond hardened from 32p to 33p ahead of today's statements. 2012 (Nexis) 10 Feb. 50 Shares in oil industry companies were in demand yesterday as energy prices hardened on the back of hopes for global economic recovery and upbeat broker comments. 1740 x. 189 Q. Is the Sound of u ever lost? A... When it follows g, where it serves only to harden the Syllable. 1799 J. Adams iii. 72 Ua and ue, have some remote appearance of real diphthongs, u chiefly serves to harden the preceding g. 1854 G. H. Talbot 48 The use of the u in such cases is merely to harden the g and c. 1898 A. E. Cowley tr. E. Kautzsch i. i. 53 To sharpen a letter (by doubling it), as well as to harden it, i. e. to pronounce it as hard and without aspiration. 1907 W. F. Giese (new ed.) xix. 138 Verbs in guir (u silent) drop u before a or o, as it is used in the other forms only to harden the g, as distinguir. 1999 M. Diab 18/1 To harden the c, an h was placed after it, hence the spelling anchyl(o)-. the world > food and drink > farming > gardening > management of plants > [verb (transitive)] > harden off 1827 R. Sweet II. Pl. 185 When rooted, the glass should be removed from them altogether, to harden them off for transplanting. 1839 E. Sayers iv. i. 147 As the weather grows warm,..the plants should be placed into a separate frame to harden off. 1854 May 248 Such kinds as were forwarded in the hot-bed may now be hardened off for planting in the open ground. 1904 20 Feb. 119/1 As soon as the seedlings are in rough leaf harden them off. 1970 C. Lloyd ii. 54 When they [sc. the cuttings] have rooted, they can be..returned to a close atmosphere but then gradually hardened off by the admission of more air. 1976 T. Hooper iii. viii. 176 The new queen..is usually easy to find because she is light in colour and fairly slow in her movements, not having had time to ‘harden off’. 1993 May 26/2 Once they have hardened off, the hardiest bedding plants such as pansies, violas and antirrhinums can be planted out in the beds as these will tolerate a little frost. 2013 9 May 22/2 Although traditionally done with a coldframe, you can harden-off plants perfectly well using cloches, a sheet of garden fleece or an old newspaper. society > armed hostility > defence > defend [verb (transitive)] > equip for defence 1958 R. D. Bowers in 10 90 Another possibility..might be to harden our sites. 1960 11 Feb. 11/6 Though land-based missiles can be ‘hardened’ by burying them and surrounding them with concrete they are still vulnerable to..nuclear attack. 1972 June 15/3 Attempts to ‘harden’ such fixed missile-launchers (that is, to increase their resistance to the effects of nuclear explosions) are in the long run doomed to futility. 1994 C. Pursell vi. 164 The matter goes beyond ‘hardening’ one's missiles and ‘penetrating’ the enemies' defences. 2012 (Nexis) 19 Apr. a8 The window of opportunity for a pre-emptive Israeli air strike is rapidly closing as Iran hardens its sites against such an attack. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2015; most recently modified version published online June 2022). <  n.adj.c1430 v.c1175 |
