The spelling of the word "toughened" can be explained using IPA phonetic transcription. The phonemes /t/ and /f/ are represented by the letters "t" and "ough" respectively. This is followed by the diphthong /əʊ/ represented by the letters "ou". The phoneme /n/ is represented by the letter "n" and is followed by the silent "ed". Therefore, the correct spelling of this word is "toughened" /ˈtʌfənd/. It means to make something stronger and more durable through hardening or conditioning.
Toughened is the past participle form of the verb "toughen," which refers to the process or action of making something stronger, harder, or more durable. It is often used in a literal sense to describe the act of increasing the resistance or resilience of a material or substance.
In the context of physical materials, toughening involves making them less prone to breaking, cracking, or deformation under stress or impact. This can be achieved through different techniques such as heat treatment, mixing with additives, or applying protective coatings. By toughening a material, its ability to withstand external forces or harsh conditions is improved.
Toughening is not limited to physical materials but can also apply to individuals or their character traits. It can refer to the process of making someone mentally or emotionally stronger in order to better handle difficult or challenging situations. This can involve building resilience, developing coping mechanisms, or acquiring greater self-confidence and determination.
In a figurative sense, toughened can also signify becoming hardened or desensitized to certain emotions or experiences as a result of enduring hardships or adversity. It suggests the development of a thicker skin or a more robust attitude.
Overall, toughened denotes a state of enhanced strength, durability, or resilience, either in the physical or metaphorical sense.
* 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 "toughened" is derived from the adjective "tough". The etymology of "tough" can be traced back to the 14th century Middle English word "tough", which originally meant "difficult to break or cut". It can be traced further to the Old English word "tōh", meaning "strong, firm, or unyielding". The word ultimately comes from the Germanic root "teuhan", which means "to tug or pull". Over time, "tough" has come to describe someone or something strong, resilient, durable, or capable of withstanding hardships. "Toughened" is the past participle form of "tough" and implies that something has become stronger or more resilient.