'Stiffening' definitions:
Definition of 'stiffening'
(from WordNet)
noun
The act of becoming stiff; "stiffening his shoulders, he prepared to advance"
noun
The process of becoming stiff or rigid [syn: stiffening, rigidifying, rigidification]
Definition of 'Stiffening'
From: GCIDE
- Stiffen \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. [1913 Webster]
- Stiffen the sinews, summon up the blood. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
- 2. To inspissate; to make more thick or viscous; as, to stiffen paste. [1913 Webster]
- 3. To make torpid; to benumb. [1913 Webster]
Definition of 'Stiffening'
From: GCIDE
- Stiffening \Stiff"en*ing\, n.
- 1. Act or process of making stiff. [1913 Webster]
- 2. Something used to make anything stiff. [1913 Webster]
- Stiffening order (Com.), a permission granted by the customs department to take cargo or ballast on board before the old cargo is out, in order to steady the ship. [1913 Webster]