Stiff"en (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Stiffened (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Stiffening.] [See Stiff.] 1. To make stiff; to make less pliant or flexible; as, to stiffen cloth with starch.

Stiffen the sinews, summon up the blood.

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.

The tender soil then stiffening by degrees.

Some souls we see,
Grow hard and stiffen with adversity.

Stiff"en (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Stiffened (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Stiffening.] [See Stiff.] 1. To make stiff; to make less pliant or flexible; as, to stiffen cloth with starch.

Stiffen the sinews, summon up the blood.

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.

The tender soil then stiffening by degrees.

Some souls we see,
Grow hard and stiffen with adversity.

• (transitive or intransitive) To make or become stiff.