Hard"-mouthed` (-moud`), a. Not sensible to the bit; not easily
governed; as, a hard- mouthed horse.
Hard"ness, n. [AS. heardness.] 1. The quality or state of being hard,
literally or figuratively.
The habit of authority also had given his manners some peremptory
hardness.
Sir W. Scott.
2. (Min.) The cohesion of the particles on the surface of a body,
determined by its capacity to scratch another, or be itself scratched;
-- measured among minerals on a scale of which diamond and talc form
the extremes.
3. (Chem.) The peculiar quality exhibited by water which has mineral
salts dissolved in it. Such water forms an insoluble compound with
soap, and is hence unfit for washing purposes.
This quality is caused by the presence of calcium carbonate, causing
temporary hardness which can be removed by boiling, or by calcium
sulphate, causing permanent hardness which can not be so removed, but
may be improved by the addition of sodium carbonate.
Har"dock (h‰r"dk), n. [Obs.] See Hordock.
Hard"pan` (h‰rd"pn), n. The hard substratum. Same as Hard pan, under
Hard, a.
Hards (h‰rdz), n. pl. [OE. herdes, AS. heordan; akin to G. hede.] The
refuse or coarse part of fiax; tow.
Hard"-shell` (h‰rd"shl`), a. Unyielding; insensible to argument;
uncompromising; strict. [Colloq., U. S.]
Hard"ship (h‰rd"shp), n. That which is hard to bear, as toil,
privation, injury, injustice, etc. Swift.
Hard"spun`, a. Firmly twisted in spinning.
Hard"-tack` (-tk`), n. A name given by soldiers and sailors to a kind
of hard biscuit or sea bread.
Hard"tail` (-tl`), n. (Zoˆl.) See Jurel.
Hard"-vis`aged (-vz`jd; 48), a. Of a harsh or stern countenance; hard-
featured. Burke.
Hard"ware` (-w‚r`), n. Ware made of metal, as cutlery, kitchen
utensils, and the like; ironmongery.
Hard"ware`man (-mn), n.; pl. Hardwaremen (-mn). One who makes, or deals
in, hardware.
Har"dy (h‰r"d), a. [Compar. Hardier (-d*r); superl. Hardiest.] [F.
hardi, p. p. fr. OF. hardir to make bold; of German origin, cf. OHG.
hertan to harden, G. h‰rten. See Hard, a.] 1. Bold; brave; stout;
daring; resolute; intrepid.
Hap helpeth hardy man alway.
Chaucer.
2. Confident; full of assurance; in a bad sense, morally hardened;
shameless.