Callus Meaning
/ˈkæləs/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounA hardened area of the skin (especially on the foot or hand) caused by repeated friction, wear or use.
nounThe 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.
Sentence Examples
I have a callus on the sole of my foot.
My fingers are starting to callus over. I love it for some reason.
CEFR Practice Quiz
After weeks of hard labor, a thick ____ formed on his palm.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
He developed a thick ____ on his thumb from playing the guitar daily.
Word Origin & History
Borrowed from Latin callum (“hard skin”). Displaced Old English wearr.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"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"
— 2011, David Foster Wallace, The Pale King, page 17:
Explore More C1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
After weeks of hard labor, a thick ____ formed on his palm.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
He developed a thick ____ on his thumb from playing the guitar daily.