stiffen
1 ENTRIES FOUND:
stiffens;
stiffened;
stiffening
stiffens;
stiffened;
stiffening
Britannica Dictionary definition of STIFFEN
1
[no object]
:
to stop moving and become completely still especially because of fear, anger, etc.
-
She stiffened when he grabbed her shoulder.
-
The dogs stiffened in alarm.
2
[no object]
:
to become painful to move or use
— often + up
-
My muscles stiffened up the next day.
3
:
to become more severe or strong or to make (something) more severe or strong
[no object]
-
The wind stiffened.
-
His resolve has stiffened.
[+ object]
-
He stiffened his resolve.
-
The law would stiffen penalties for tax evasion.
4
[+ object]
:
to make (something, such as cloth) difficult to bend or move
-
stiffen a shirt with starch
