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.
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.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.
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.