Pronunciation: [kˈaləs] (IPA) 
The word "callous" is spelled with a double "l" and "o" because it has its roots in Latin "Callus," which means "hard skin." The IPA transcription for "callous" is /ˈkæləs/. The first syllable is pronounced as "kal" with the "a" sound like "cat." The second syllable is pronounced as "us" with the "u" sound like "up." Hence, "callous" is pronounced as "KAL-us." It refers to a person who is insensitive to others or has no sympathy.
Callous is an adjective that describes someone or something as being insensitive, unfeeling, or lacking compassion. It refers to a person's behavior or attitude characterized by a lack of empathy or disregard for the feelings and suffering of others.
When someone is described as callous, it implies that they are emotionally hardened, indifferent, or cold-hearted. Such a person typically shows little or no concern for the welfare or emotions of others, seemingly unaffected by the pain or suffering they might cause. They often display a dismissive or uncaring attitude, and their actions often reveal a lack of sympathy or understanding.
For instance, a callous individual might make callous remarks about someone's physical appearance or personal issues without considering the impact of their words. They might also disregard the feelings and needs of others, willingly exploiting or manipulating them to serve their own self-interests.
Callousness can also extend to non-human entities or objects. For example, it can describe the rough and hardened skin on certain body parts, such as the hands or feet, due to repetitive friction or exposure to harsh conditions.
In summary, callousness refers to an absence of empathy, compassion, or concern for others, indicating a selfish or uncaring nature.
Relating to callus or to a callosity; thick-skinned, hard.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Hard; hardened in mind; unfeeling.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "callous" derives from the Latin word "callus", which referred to hardened skin or a thickened area caused by friction or pressure. In English, "callous" originally appeared in the 16th century as a noun and adjective, describing a thickened or hardened condition, particularly in relation to the skin. Over time, the term evolved to describe a non-physical insensitivity or indifference towards others, implying a figurative toughening or hardening of emotions or morals.
