hard–boiled 
/ˈhɑɚdˈbojəld/ adjective
/ˈhɑɚdˈbojəld/ adjective 1 of an egg : boiled until all the inside parts have become solid
▪ hard-boiled eggs — compare soft-boiled 2 a [more hard–boiled; most hard–boiled] : not feeling or showing emotions such as affection or kindness : emotionally tough
▪ a hard-boiled detective
b chiefly US : having a tough detective as the main character
▪ a hard-boiled novel ▪ hard-boiled fiction
▪ hard-boiled eggs — compare soft-boiled
▪ a hard-boiled detective
b chiefly US : having a tough detective as the main character
▪ a hard-boiled novel ▪ hard-boiled fiction
