hardening

• Nom désignant le processus ou le résultat du durcissement ou du renforcement, par exemple un épaississement anormal d'un tissu, la solidification d'une substance par refroidissement ou séchage, ou l'action de compacter ou de renforcer quelque chose.

A noun referring to the process or result of becoming hard or solid, such as the abnormal thickening of tissue, the solidification of a substance through cooling or drying, or the act of making something firmer or more compact.

indénombrable

1. Abnormal tissue hardeningC1formalmedical

   The abnormal thickening or hardening of body tissue, often due to disease or injury.

   Durcissement anormal des tissus

   • The patient was diagnosed with hardening of the arteries.
   • Hardening of the skin can be a symptom of certain autoimmune disorders.
   • Doctors monitored the hardening of the tissue after the surgery.

   Synonymesindurationsclerosis

   Antonymessoftening

2. Process of becoming solidB2formalscientific

   The process by which a substance becomes hard or solid through cooling, drying, or crystallization.

   Durcissement

   • The hardening of the concrete took several hours.
   • Crystallization leads to the hardening of the sugar solution.
   • The hardening of the clay in the kiln produces durable pottery.

   Synonymescoagulationcuringsettingsolidification

   Antonymesdissolutionliquefactionmeltingsoftening

3. Act of making firmerB2formal

   The act of making something firmer, tighter, or more compact.

   durcissement

   • The hardening of the steel through tempering increases its strength.
   • Regular exercise contributes to the hardening of muscles.
   • The hardening of the soil after a drought made it difficult to dig.

   Synonymescompactionconsolidationsettingsolidificationstiffeningtempering

   Antonymeslooseningrelaxingsoftening

• Verbe utilisé pour désigner le processus de devenir ou de rendre quelque chose dur, résistant ou stable, ainsi que pour indiquer une diminution de la sympathie ou un renforcement de la sévérité.

A verb used to indicate the process of becoming or making something hard, solid, or resistant, or of becoming less sympathetic or more severe.

1. Become solid or firmB1formal

   To become physically hard or solid, or to make something become hard.

   Durcir, se solidifier

   • The cement will harden within a few hours.
   • Allow the glue to harden before moving the pieces.
   • The lava hardened into rock as it cooled.

   Synonymescakeclotcongealfreezesetsolidifystiffenthicken

   Antonymesdissolveliquefymeltsoften

2. Become tough or unfeelingB2formal

   To become more severe, strict, or less sympathetic.

   s'endurcir

   • Years of disappointment hardened his heart.
   • The government hardened its stance on immigration.
   • She hardened herself against the criticism.

   Synonymescallousdesensitizeindurateinuretoughen

   Antonymesmellowrelentsoften

3. Strengthen or reinforceB2formal

   To make something stronger or more resistant.

   Durcir, renforcer

   • The company hardened its security protocols after the breach.
   • Regular exercise hardens the muscles.
   • They hardened the steel to make it more durable.

   Synonymesannealfortifyreinforcesolidifysteelstiffenstrengthentempertoughen

   Antonymesdebilitatesoftenundermineweaken