callousing
Forming tough patches
Callousing is the process of forming calluses—areas of thickened, toughened skin that develop from repeated friction or pressure.
Hands callous from manual labor; feet callous from walking barefoot.
The term extends to emotional hardening: Years of rejection had a callousing effect on him.
Also spelled callusing.
Increasing in density
- hardeningBecoming less soft
- tougheningMaking more resistant
- rougheningMaking less smooth
- coarseningBecoming more crude
friction · rubbing · pressure · abrasion · irritation · blister · skin · epidermis
Reduced response over time
- numbingCausing loss of sensation
- hardeningBecoming less soft
- detachmentSeparation or emotional uninvolvement
- indifferenceLack of interest
steeling · inurement · thick skin · resilience · weathering · coping · emotional armor · jadedness
Strenuous, prolonged effort
- manual workLabor using physical effort
- grippingHolding attention completely
- handlingTreatment or management
- shovelingMoving material with a blade tool
rowing · lifting · hammering · raking · hoeing · climbing · weightlifting · farming
Obstruction preventing passage
- shieldingProtecting from harm
- toughnessResilient durability under strain
- paddingMaterial for cushioning
- armorProtective combat covering
buffer · resistance · defense · insulation · guard · durability
thickening
Increasing in density
- hardeningBecoming less soft
- tougheningMaking more resistant
- rougheningMaking less smooth
coarsening · friction · rubbing · pressure · abrasion · irritation · blister · skin · epidermis · buildup
desensitization
Reduced response over time
- numbingCausing loss of sensation
- hardeningBecoming less soft
- detachmentSeparation or emotional uninvolvement
indifference · steeling · inurement · thick skin · resilience · weathering · coping · emotional armor · jadedness
toil
Strenuous, prolonged effort
- manual workLabor using physical effort
- grippingHolding attention completely
- handlingTreatment or management
shoveling · rowing · lifting · hammering · raking · hoeing · climbing · weightlifting · farming · carpentry
barrier
Obstruction preventing passage
- shieldingProtecting from harm
- toughnessResilient durability under strain
- paddingMaterial for cushioning
armor · buffer · resistance · defense · insulation · guard · durability
- texture changessmoothing, roughening, softening, hardening, wrinkling
- desensitizationnumbing, dulling, blunting, deadening, anesthetizing
callousingsoftening
Becoming less firm
thinning · smoothing · healing · tenderizing · blistering
callousingsensitizing
Making more responsive
softening · opening up · tenderizing · humanizing · awakening
callous, callus, callousness, callously, callouses, calloused, uncalloused