What is "toughened"

Toughen \Tough"en\, v. i. & t. [imp. & p. p. Toughened; p. pr. & vb. n. Toughening.] To grow or make tough, or tougher.

vb. (en-past of: toughen)

1. adj. physically toughened; "the tough bottoms of his feet" [syn: tough] [ant: tender]

2. made hard or flexible or resilient especially by heat treatment; "a sword of tempered steel"; "tempered glass" [syn: tempered, treated, hardened] [ant: untempered]