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callous

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Callous is defined as cruel or insensitive.

(adjective)

If you laugh at someone who is hurting and don't offer to help, this is an example of when you arecallous; a callous laugh.

See callous in Webster's New World College Dictionary

adjective

usually calloused
1. having calluses
2. thick and hardened
lacking pity, mercy, etc.; unfeeling

Origin: ME < L callosus < callum, hard skin

transitive verb, intransitive verb

to make or become callous

noun

callus (sense )

Related Forms:

callously adverb
callousness noun

See callous in American Heritage Dictionary 4

adjective

Having calluses; toughened: callous skin on the elbow.
Emotionally hardened; unfeeling: a callous indifference to the suffering of others.

tr. & intr.v. cal·loused, cal·lous·ing, cal·lous·es

To make or become callous.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English

Origin: , from Old French cailleux

Origin: , from Latin callōsus

Origin: , from callum, hard skin

Related Forms:

calˈlous·ly adverb

calˈlous·ness noun

Usage Note: Do not confuse the adjective callous, as in Years of dealing with criminals had left her callous, with the noun callus, as in I have a callus on my thumb. Also, do not confuse the verb callous, which means “to make or become callous,” with the verb callus “to form or develop hardened tissue.”

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