stiff·en /ˈstɪfən/
 (vt.)使堅硬,使僵硬,使生硬,使粘稠(vi.)變粘,變硬,變猛烈


 Stiff·en v. t. [imp. & p. p. Stiffened p. pr. & vb. n. Stiffening.]
 1. To make stiff; to make less pliant or flexible; as, to stiffen cloth with starch.
    Stiffen the sinews, summon up the blood.   --Shak.
 2. To inspissate; to make more thick or viscous; as, to stiffen paste.
 3. To make torpid; to benumb.


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

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 stiffen
      v 1: become stiff or stiffer; "He stiffened when he saw his boss
           enter the room" [ant: loosen]
      2: make stiff or stiffer; "Stiffen the cream by adding
         gelatine" [ant: loosen]
      3: restrict; "Tighten the rules"; "stiffen the regulations"
         [syn: tighten, tighten up, constrain]