The spelling of the word "hardened" is quite straightforward once you understand its pronunciation. In IPA phonetic transcription, it is represented as /ˈhɑːdənd/. The initial sound is a voiceless glottal fricative followed by the long vowel sound of "ah". The next two syllables have a short vowel sound and the final syllable ends with the voiced consonant "d". Overall, the spelling reflects the pronunciation accurately, making it a relatively easy word to spell. However, like many English words, it may still present some challenges for non-native speakers.
Hardened is an adjective that describes a person, object, or material which has undergone a process or experience that makes it tough, resistant, or less affected by external influences. It commonly refers to the act of making something stronger, more resilient, or less prone to change or damage.
In the context of people, hardened typically refers to someone who has become callous, unsympathetic, or unyielding due to exposure to challenging or difficult circumstances. A person who has faced numerous hardships, struggles, or traumatic events may develop a hardened attitude or demeanor, often exhibiting resistance to emotions or sentimentality.
When describing objects or materials, hardened refers to a state of increased strength, durability, or resistance to wear. This can be achieved through a variety of processes, such as heat treatment, chemical reactions, or mechanical conditioning, which modify the molecular structure or composition to enhance its physical properties. For instance, hardened steel is more resistant to deformation and has increased tensile strength, while hardened concrete is less prone to cracking or deterioration.
In summary, the term hardened describes individuals or objects that have undergone a transformation, resulting in increased strength, resistance, or resilience. Whether referring to people or materials, being hardened suggests a reduced vulnerability to external influences and a greater ability to withstand or endure challenging conditions.
A made hard; made 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 "hardened" comes from the verb "harden", which has its roots in the Germanic languages. It can be traced back to the Old English word "heardian", which means "to become firm or unyielding". This Old English term is derived from the Proto-Germanic word "*hardu-" and is related to other Germanic languages such as Old High German "harton" and Old Norse "harðna". All these words share the common idea of something becoming firm, rigid, or inflexible. The word "hardened" is ultimately connected to the concept of solidity and toughness.