'Hardening' definitions:

Definition of 'hardening'

(from WordNet)
noun
Abnormal hardening or thickening of tissue
noun
The process of becoming hard or solid by cooling or drying or crystallization; "the hardening of concrete"; "he tested the set of the glue" [syn: hardening, solidifying, solidification, set, curing]
noun
The act of making something harder (firmer or tighter or more compact)

Definition of 'Hardening'

From: GCIDE
  • Harden \Hard"en\ (h[aum]rd"'n), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Hardened (-'nd); p. pr. & vb. n. Hardening (-'n*[i^]ng).] [OE. hardnen, hardenen.]
  • 1. To make hard or harder; to make firm or compact; to indurate; as, to harden clay or iron. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. To accustom by labor or suffering to endure with constancy; to strengthen; to stiffen; to inure; also, to confirm in wickedness or shame; to make unimpressionable. "Harden not your heart." --Ps. xcv. 8. [1913 Webster]
  • I would harden myself in sorrow. --Job vi. 10. [1913 Webster]

Definition of 'Hardening'

From: GCIDE
  • Hardening \Hard"en*ing\, n.
  • 1. Making hard or harder. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. That which hardens, as a material used for converting the surface of iron into steel. [1913 Webster]