stiff
stiff / stif/ • adj. 1. not easily bent or changed in shape; rigid: a stiff black collar stiff cardboard. ∎ not moving as freely as is usual or desirable; difficult to turn or operate: a stiff drawer the faucet in the shower is a little stiff. ∎ (of a person or part of the body) unable to move easily and without pain: he was stiff from sitting on the desk a stiff back. ∎ (of a person or their manner) not relaxed or friendly; constrained: she greeted him with stiff politeness. ∎ viscous; thick: add wheat until the mixture is quite stiff.2. severe or strong: they face stiff fines and a possible jail sentence a stiff increase in taxes. ∎ (of a wind) blowing strongly: a stiff breeze stirring the lake. ∎ requiring strength or effort; difficult: a long stiff climb up the bare hillside. ∎ (of an alcoholic drink) strong: a stiff measure of brandy.3. (stiff with) inf. full of: the place is stiff with alarm systems.4. (—— stiff) inf. having a specified unpleasant feeling to an extreme extent: she was scared stiff I was bored stiff with my project.5. Bridge a card that is the only one of its suit in a hand: two red aces and a stiff club.• n. inf. 1. a dead body.2. a boring, conventional person: ordinary working stiffs in respectable offices. ∎ inf. a fellow: the lucky stiff!• v. [tr.] inf. 1. (often be stiffed) cheat (someone) out of something, esp. money: several workers were stiffed out of their pay. ∎ fail to leave (someone) a tip.2. ignore deliberately; snub. ∎ fail to appear for a promised engagement or appointment: he stiffed us and didn't show up.3. kill: I want to get those pigs who stiffed your doctor. ∎ [intr.] be unsuccessful: as soon as he began singing about the wife and kids, his albums stiffed.PHRASES: stiff as a board inf. (of a person or part of the body) extremely stiff.a stiff upper lip a quality of uncomplaining stoicism: senior managers had to keep a stiff upper lip and remain optimistic.DERIVATIVES: stiff·ish adj.stiff·ly adv.stiff·ness n.
stiff
Hence stiffen (-EN5) XVI.