Ruggedisation

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. The method of making items stronger and more durable for use in demanding environments is known as enhancing resilience and robustness
2. This refers to the act of reinforcing products to ensure they can endure challenging conditions effectively and reliably
3. The act of modifying objects to improve their durability and resistance against harsh conditions

Etymology: "Ruggedisation" is the British spelling of "ruggedization," and it is built from two parts that each have their own history. The first is "rugged," which comes from Middle English "rugged," meaning shaggy or covered in rough hair, and it later took on the sense of uneven or harsh surfaces. The second is the suffix "-isation" (or "-ization" in American spelling), which turns a word into a noun meaning the process of making something into what the base word describes. Put together, the term means the process of making something rugged, or sturdy enough to withstand hard use. The word is a clear example of how English builds new vocabulary from existing parts. Once "rugged" came to describe tough, durable equipment, such as military gear or field instruments, speakers could add the suffix to name the act of toughening a product. Because the formation is so transparent, the word needs no special coinage story; its meaning follows directly from its parts.

Synonyms: toughening, fortification