[f. as prec. + -NESS.]

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  † 1.  a. Callous quality or condition, induration; b. A callous formation; = CALLOSITY 1, 2.

2

c. 1660.  Jer. Taylor, On Repent. VII. viii. A callousness of his feet or a wart upon his fingers.

3

1715.  Cheyne, Philos. Princ. Relig., (ed. 2), 328–9 (J.). The Skin becomes the thicker, and so a callousness grows upon it.

4

1765.  Phil. Trans., LV. 82. There are often found in them [the lungs] tumours, callousnesses, [etc.].

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  2.  fig. A hardened state of mind, conscience, etc.; want of feeling, insensibility.

6

1692.  Bentley, Boyle Lect., 12. Abandon’d to a callousness and numness of Soul?

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1726.  Butler, 15 Serm., v. 91. A certain Callousness of Heart.

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1781.  Johnson, Lett., 258 (1788), II. 194. As I have not the decrepitude I have not the callousness of old age.

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1844.  Stanley, Arnold (1858), I. vi. 236. The richer classes will again relapse into their old callousness.

10

1867.  Pearson, Hist. Eng., II. 35. John’s … utter callousness to honour.

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