callus — English Dictionary

Noun

1. A hardened area of the skin (especially on the foot or hand) caused by repeated friction, wear or use.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

   Examples

   More examples (1)

   Sylvanshine had once been on a first date with a Xerox rep who had complex and slightly repulsive patterns of callus on her fingers from playing the banjo semi-professionally

2. The material of repair in fractures of bone; a substance exuded at the site of fracture, which is at first soft or cartilaginous in consistency, but is ultimately converted into true bone and unites the fragments into a single piece.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

3. The new formation over the end of a cutting, before it puts out rootlets.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

4. In orchids, a fleshy outgrowth from the labellum.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

5. In grasses, a hardened extension from the base of a floret, which may or may not elongate and is often covered in hairs or bristles.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

6. A shining area on the frons of many species of Tabanomorpha (horse flies and relatives).

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

Verb

1. To form such hardened tissue.

   Usage

   • Intransitive

Noun

1. an area of skin that is thick or hard from continual pressure or friction (as the sole of the foot)

   Synonyms

   callosity

   Broader terms

   hardening

2. bony tissue formed during the healing of a fractured bone

   Broader terms

   scarcicatrixcicatrice

3. (botany) an isolated thickening of tissue, especially a stiff protuberance on the lip of an orchid

   Broader terms

   plant processenation

Verb

1. cause a callus to form on

   Broader terms

   hardenindurate

   Examples

   The long march had callused his feet

2. form a callus or calluses

   Broader terms

   hardenindurate

   Examples

   His foot callused