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Webster 1913 Edition


Stiffness

Stiff′ness

,
Noun.
The quality or state of being stiff;
as, the
stiffness
of cloth or of paste;
stiffness
of manner;
stiffness
of character.
The vices of old age have the
stiffness
of it too.
South.

Webster 1828 Edition


Stiffness

STIFFNESS

,
Noun.
1.
Rigidness; want of pliableness or flexibility; the firm texture or state of a substance which renders it difficult to bend it; as the stiffness or iron or wood; the stiffness of a frozen limb.
2.
Thickness; spissitude; a state between softness and hardness; as the stiffness of sirup, paste, size or starch.
3.
Torpidness; inaptitude to motion.
An icy stiffness benumbs my blood.
4.
Tension; as the stiffness of a cord.
5.
Obstinacy; stubbornness; contumaciousness.
The vices of old age have the stiffness of it too.
Stiffness of mind is not from adherence to truth, but submission to prejudice.
6.
Formality of manner; constraint; affected precision.
All this religion sat easily upon him, without stiffness and constraint.
7.
Rigorousness; harshness.
But speak no word to her of these sad plights, which her too constant stiffness doth constrain.
8.
Affected or constrained manner of expression or writing; want of natural simplicity and ease; as stiffness of style.

Definition 2024


stiffness

stiffness

English

Noun

stiffness (countable and uncountable, plural stiffnesses)

  1. Rigidity or a measure of rigidity.
  2. Inflexibility or a measure of inflexibility.
  3. Inelegance, lacking relaxedness.
    His stiffness hampered the conversation.
  4. muscular tension due to unaccustomed or excessive exercise or work

Translations