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Callus Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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callus

[ˈkæləs ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

on skin

A thickened and hardened part of the skin or soft tissue, especially caused by repeated friction or pressure.

Synonyms

bunion, callosity, corn.

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Word Description / Examples
callus

A thickened and hardened part of the skin, typically on the hands or feet, caused by repeated friction, pressure, or irritation. Often associated with manual labor or activities that involve extensive use of hands or feet.

  • After weeks of hiking, a painful callus formed on his heel
  • Guitar players often develop calluses on their fingertips
corn

A small, painful area of thickened skin, usually on the toes, caused by pressure or friction. Often smaller and more localized than a callus.

  • She had a corn removed from her toe by the podiatrist
  • Tight shoes often lead to the development of corns
bunion

A painful swelling on the first joint of the big toe, caused by inflammation and pressure. Typically associated with wearing tight shoes or genetic predisposition.

  • She had to buy special shoes because of the bunion on her foot
  • A podiatrist recommended surgery to treat her bunion
callosity

A condition where the skin becomes thickened and tough, similar to a callus, but used more in a medical or formal context.

  • The doctor noted callosity on the laborer's palms
  • Callosity can be quite uncomfortable if left untreated

Examples of usage

  • The callus on his hand showed where he had been working hard.
  • She developed a callus on her foot after walking long distances.
Context #2 | Noun

in plants

A toughened area on a plant, especially a tree, caused by friction or pressure.

Synonyms

hardened tissue, scar.

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Word Description / Examples
callus

Use when referring to thickened or toughened skin that develops usually on hands or feet from repeated friction or pressure.

  • She developed a callus on her palm from lifting heavy weights
scar

Use when talking about a mark left on the skin or within body tissue where a wound, burn, or sore has not completely healed, indicating damage repair.

  • He had a scar on his knee from the bicycle accident
hardened tissue

Use in a more medical or scientific context to describe tissue that has become firm or tough, often due to a condition or repeated irritation.

  • The doctor noted the presence of hardened tissue around the wound

Examples of usage

  • The callus on the tree trunk formed after being rubbed by a rope.
  • The gardener noticed a callus on the stem of the plant.
Context #3 | Verb

medical

To form a callus on the skin or soft tissue.

Synonyms

harden, thicken.

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Word Description / Examples
callus

A noun representing the hard, thickened area of skin itself.

  • He showed me the callus on his hand from years of manual labor.
harden

To make or become hard or harder, often used to describe materials, attitudes, or emotions.

  • The clay will harden as it dries.
  • She tried to harden her heart against the harsh criticism.
thicken

To make or become thicker, often in the sense of consistency, density, or viscosity.

  • Stir the sauce continuously until it starts to thicken.
  • Over time, the forest began to thicken, making the trail hard to find.

Examples of usage

  • The wound will callus over time and heal properly.
  • The doctor explained that the broken bone would callus as part of the healing process.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Health & Biology

  • Calluses can appear as a protective response to repeated friction or pressure on the skin.
  • While generally harmless, excessive callus formation can lead to discomfort or pain.
  • Certain conditions, like diabetes, can make individuals more prone to developing calluses.

Cultural References

  • In some cultures, calluses are seen as a badge of honor, indicating hard work and resilience.
  • Many athletes and musicians develop calluses as a result of their training or practice, helping them improve their performance.

Psychology

  • The concept of emotional 'calluses' can refer to people who have toughened themselves against emotional pain.
  • Over time, repeated traumas can lead individuals to develop metaphorical calluses as a defense mechanism.

Sports & Fitness

  • In sports like weightlifting and gymnastics, athletes purposely allow calluses to form to prevent blisters and improve grip.
  • Trainers often recommend gradual buildup of intensity in physical activities to prepare skin for callus formation.

Origin of 'callus'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the Latin 'callus', meaning 'thick skin'.
  • In medieval texts, the term referred to a hardened part of the skin caused by labor or effort.

The word 'callus' originated in the mid-16th century from the Latin word 'callosus', meaning 'hard-skinned'. It was initially used in the context of skin hardening. Over time, the term expanded to include the toughened areas on plants as well. The verb form of 'callus' emerged in medical terminology to describe the process of skin or tissue healing by forming a callus. Today, 'callus' is commonly used in both medical and everyday language to refer to hardened or thickened areas.

See also: call, caller, calling, callous, calls, recall.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #17,732, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.