ALL meanings of case-harden
case-hard·en
C c - verb case-harden to form a hard surface layer of high carbon content on (a steel component) by heating in a carburizing environment with subsequent quenching or heat treatment 3
- verb case-harden to harden the spirit or disposition of; make callous 3
- verb with object case-harden Metallurgy. to make the outside surface of (an alloy having an iron base) hard by carburizing and heat treatment, leaving the interior tough and ductile. 1
- verb with object case-harden to harden in spirit so as to render insensible or insensitive to external impressions or influences; make callous. 1