STIFFENING • E-FREE TRANSLATION.COM • Definition of Stiffening

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/stˈɪfənɪŋ/ /stˈɪfnɪŋ/ Listen

verb

Stiffen v. t. (past & past part. stiffened; pres. part. stiffening)

To make stiff; to make less pliant or flexible; as, to stiffen cloth with starch. "Stiffen the sinews, summon up the blood."

To inspissate; to make more thick or viscous; as, to stiffen paste.

To make torpid; to benumb.

Stiffen v. i. To become stiff or stiffer, in any sense of the adjective. "Like bristles rose my stiffening hair." "The tender soil then stiffening by degrees." "Some souls we see, Grow hard and stiffen with adversity."

noun

Stiffening n.

Act or process of making stiff.

Something used to make anything stiff.

Stiffening order (Com.), a permission granted by the customs department to take cargo or ballast on board before the old cargo is out, in order to steady the ship.

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Etymology of 'Stiffening'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Stiffening" Quotes from Famous Books

... instant the two rifles came to a level, whether he would or not. He felt no symptoms of "buck ague" this time, for every nerve and muscle of his body was stiffening, while his tired horse stood as still as a stone. That was where he had a priceless advantage. The spirited animal ridden by his enemy was a trifle restive for some reason, and caused a shade of delay that was just enough to give Sile ...

— Two Arrows - A Story of Red and White • William O. Stoddard

... rain was no great task, and they hurriedly concluded their preliminary packing. It was yet early in the day when they stood on the river-bank, looking at the great fleet of scows of the north-bound fur brigade as the boats now lay swinging in the stiffening current. ...

— Young Alaskans in the Far North • Emerson Hough

... wine-red velvet and her glowing, gipsy beauty against the sober blacks and grays and faded cheeks of the gathering, looking like a Kentucky cardinal alighted in a henyard, felt her smile stiffening. Sudden and inexplicable panic and rebellion descended upon her; it seemed certain that if she heard Mrs. Wetherby say "proud of this dear girl of ours" once again she would scream. She disengaged her arm and declined tea and little ...

— Jane Journeys On • Ruth Comfort Mitchell

... my lap again, I pulled her closely to me. "Kiss me, she's gone," I said. "Oh! what a boy," and she kissed me, saying, "let me go now—your mamma is coming." It came into my mind that I had had my hand up her clothes, and had felt hair between her legs. My prick stiffening in thinking of a women. I clutched her hard, put one hand on to her and did something I know not what. She said: "You are rude, Wattie." Then I pinched her and said: "Oh! what a big bosom you have." "Hish! hish!" said she. She was a tallish woman ...

— My Secret Life, Volumes I. to III. - 1888 Edition • Anonymous

... at him in a flushed, bewildered sort of way, not resisting; but his eyes were so gay and mischievous, and his quick smile so engaging that a breathless, uncertain smile began to edge her lips; and it remained stamped there, stiffening even after he had jumped into his cutter and had driven away, jingling joyously out into the ...

— The Dark Star • Robert W. Chambers

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