callus

/'kæləs/
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callus

A gardener develops a callus on her palm from using a trowel.

Definition
  1. Noun:

    • (Botany) An isolated thickening of tissue, especially a stiff protuberance on the lip of an orchid: In plants, a "callus" is a mass of cells that forms over a wound or cut, often appearing as a hard, protective bump.
    • (Medicine) Bony tissue formed during the healing of a fractured bone: This is the new bone that grows around the ends of broken bones, temporarily stabilizing them during the healing process.
    • (Dermatology) An area of skin that is thick or hard from continual pressure or friction (as the sole of the foot): A "callus" is a patch of toughened, thickened skin that develops to protect an area from repeated rubbing or pressure.
  2. Verb:

    • To form a callus or calluses: To develop a hardened area of skin or tissue.
    • To cause a callus to form on: To make a part of the body develop a hardened area.
Examples of Usage
  • Noun:

    • The gardener noticed a callus forming on the stem where it had been pruned.
    • An X-ray showed the callus around the fracture, indicating it was healing well.
    • Guitar players often develop calluses on their fingertips from pressing the strings.
  • Verb:

    • His hands began to callus after weeks of manual labor.
    • Years of playing tennis had callused her palm.
Advanced Usage
  • "Form a callus": This phrase is often used metaphorically to describe becoming emotionally hardened or less sensitive due to repeated difficult experiences.
    • Working in customer service for so long caused her to form a callus against rude comments.
Variants and Related Words
  • Calloused (adjective): Having calluses; hardened.
    • He had calloused hands from years of carpentry.
  • Callosity (noun): A technical or medical synonym for a callus, especially on the skin.
Synonyms
  • Noun (Skin): Corn (a specific type of small, painful callus), hardening, thickening.
  • Noun (Bone): Bony union, healing tissue.
  • Verb: Harden, toughen.
Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)

(Note: "Callus" is not commonly used in phrasal verb constructions. The actions are typically described with the verb alone or with prepositions like "on" or "over.")

Related Idioms

(Note: There are no common idioms that use the word "callus" itself. The metaphorical use mentioned in "Advanced Usage" is a conceptual extension rather than a fixed idiom.)

callus

A gardener develops a callus on her palm from using a trowel.

Noun
  1. (botany) an isolated thickening of tissue, especially a stiff protuberance on the lip of an orchid
  2. bony tissue formed during the healing of a fractured bone
  3. an area of skin that is thick or hard from continual pressure or friction (as the sole of the foot)
Verb
  1. form a callus or calluses
    • His foot callused
  2. cause a callus to form on
    • The long march had callused his feet