indurate
C2 (Extremely rare in everyday use)Highly formal, literary, academic, or technical (e.g., geology/medicine).
Definition
Meaning
To make hard or to become hard physically or, more commonly, emotionally/morally (to harden against feeling, compassion, or influence).
As an adjective: hardened in feeling, callous, or physically hardened; as a verb: to cause to become physically hard or unfeeling.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The verb is often used reflexively ('to indurate oneself') or in the passive ('became indurated'). The adjective use is rare but found in formal descriptions of character or, technically, of tissues/rock.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant spelling or syntactical differences. Both variants recognize its primary formal/literary status.
Connotations
Equally formal and uncommon in both dialects. Slight edge to British English in historical/literary contexts, American English in technical (geological/medical) contexts.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both. Possibly slightly more recognized in AmE due to medical term 'induration' (a hardened area of tissue).
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[verb] to indurate sth[verb] sth indurates[verb] to become indurated (by/against sth)[adj.] an indurated cynicVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[None specific to this word. It is itself a formal/latinate alternative to idioms like 'harden one's heart'.]”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in literary criticism (character analysis), historical texts, geology, and medicine.
Everyday
Extremely unlikely.
Technical
Geology: describing hardened rock layers. Medicine: describing hardened tissue (induration).
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- Years of bureaucracy had indurated his enthusiasm for public service.
- The clay will indurate when fired at high temperature.
American English
- Prison life indurated him against any show of weakness.
- The sediment indurated over millennia into sandstone.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- [Too advanced for A2. Not applicable.]
- [Too advanced for B1. Not applicable.]
- The harsh conditions indurated the young soldiers, teaching them resilience.
- His views became indurated over time and he refused to listen.
- A lifetime of disappointment had indurated her against sentimental pleas.
- Geologists study how layers of ash indurate into compacted tuff.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'INside, it's DURable like ATE (past tense) — having become hard and durable inside.'
Conceptual Metaphor
HARDNESS IS LACK OF FEELING / MORAL STRENGTH (OR WEAKNESS) (e.g., an indurated heart is emotionally hard/closed).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'индульгировать' (to indulge).
- Closer to 'затвердевать' (physically) or 'черстветь' (morally).
- The adjective can be confused with a past participle, but it's a distinct form.
Common Mistakes
- Using it in casual speech.
- Incorrect pronunciation: stressing the second syllable.
- Confusing it with 'endure' (to suffer patiently).
Practice
Quiz
In a medical report, 'indurated' most likely describes:
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is extremely rare in everyday language and is considered highly formal or technical.
Yes, but it is less common than the verb. As an adjective, it means 'hardened', especially in feeling or character (e.g., an indurate heart) or physically (in technical contexts).
'Indurate' is a much more formal, often literary or technical synonym. 'Harden' is the everyday word. 'Indurate' often carries a stronger connotation of a process leading to insensitivity or stubbornness.
The primary noun is 'induration', used mainly in medical (a hardened spot) and geological contexts.