face-harden

[ feys-hahr-dn ]

/ ˈfeɪsˌhɑr dn /

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verb (used with object)

to harden the surface of (metal), as by chilling or casehardening.

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of face-harden

First recorded in 1895–1900

Words nearby face-harden

facecloth, faced, facedown, face flies, face gear, face-harden, face it, faceless, facelift, facemail, face mask

How to use face-harden in a sentence

Indeed, de Vasselot had seen her face harden at some laughing reference made by him to his approaching recovery.
The Isle of Unrest|Henry Seton Merriman
David expected to see the yellow face harden, but it did not change.
To Him That Hath|Leroy Scott
Laura was usually composed, but he saw her face harden, for she was angry at his insistence.
The Greater Power|Harold Bindloss
Besides,” she added, with a change of tone that made her face harden, “I shall not tell him.
A Beautiful Alien|Julia Magruder

She saw his face harden as he gazed at the tall wheat, but his expression was resolute.
Masters of the Wheat-Lands|Harold Bindloss

British Dictionary definitions for face-harden

face-harden

verb

(tr) to harden the surface of (steel or iron) by the addition of carbon at high temperature

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012