A callus is a thickened and hardened part of the skin, while callous is an adjective describing someone as emotionally hardened or insensitive.
Here's a more detailed breakdown:
Callus (noun):
- Definition: A thickened and hardened part of the skin, especially on a hand or foot, caused by repeated friction or pressure.
- Nature: A physical condition.
- Example: "He developed a callus on his finger from playing the guitar."
Callous (adjective):
- Definition: Showing or having an insensitive and cruel disregard for others.
- Nature: A personality trait or behavior.
- Example: "The callous remark showed a complete lack of empathy."
To further clarify the difference, consider this table:
| Feature | Callus | Callous |
|---|---|---|
| Part of Speech | Noun | Adjective |
| Meaning | Hardened Skin | Emotionally Hard |
| Nature | Physical | Behavioral/Emotional |
| Origin | Latin callum (hard skin) | Latin callum (hard skin) |
The words share a common Latin root meaning "hardened," but they have evolved to represent very different concepts. Remember the mnemonic: add an "o" to callous to remember it's related to an "offensive" or insensitive attitude.
