See Also: stiffen(medicine)
stiffen(dictionary)
stiffen(dictionary)

stiffen (iou)



stiffen verb. L15.
[from STIFF adjective + -EN5.]
verb trans. Make (more) stiff or rigid; take away the flexibility, suppleness, or mobility of; make stiffer in consistency, thicken; strengthen; make more steadfast, resistant, or obstinate; increase the fighting value of (a force) by reinforcement esp. with seasoned troops. L15.
Coleridge His legs were stiffen'd with dismay. E. Wilson Filmy muslin..stiffened with rice starch. Illustrated London News Units of the Afghan army have been stiffened by the addition of Soviet soldiers. P. Barker Laughter bound them together and stiffened their courage. A. C. Amor Humiliation merely served to stiffen his will to succeed
b. Nautical. Make (a ship) less liable to heel. E18.
c. Make (more) formal or cold in manner; make (a composition etc.) pedantic or laboured. M18.
d. Make (a price etc.) stiffer. L19.
verb intrans. Become (more) stiff or rigid; harden, solidify; become stronger. L17.
J. Steinbeck For a moment Crooks did not see him, but on raising his eyes he stiffened. J. Marsh Class attitudes stiffened during the century.
b. Of a price, commodity, etc.: become stiffer (STIFF adjective 8). M19.
c. Of wind etc.: increase in force. M19.
d. Increase in difficulty or steepness. L19.
stiffener noun (a) a person who or thing which stiffens something; (b) slang a fortifying or reviving (alcoholic) drink: L17.
stiffening noun (a) the action of the verb; an instance of this; (b) an object, substance, etc., that serves to stiffen something: E17.