"Stiffly" Natural Recordings by Native Speakers
Rigid or unyielding in movement or manner; lacking flexibility or suppleness; stiff or inflexible
Example: She walked stiffly across the stage, her stick-straight posture revealing her embarrassment.
To become stiffer or less flexible; to firm or harden something.<br><br>Example: The cold weather stiffened the grass on the lawn.
Stiffeners are structural elements used to add strength and rigidity to a material or object. They are typically designed to resist deformation or bending, and are often used in construction, engineering, and manufacturing to improve the stability and durability of various materials, such as metals, composites, and textiles.
The verb "stiffening" refers to the act of becoming more rigid or firm, or making something stiffer.<br><br>In various contexts:<br><br> In medicine, stiffening can refer to the loss of flexibility or movement in a joint or a part of the body, often due to injury or disease.<br> In materials science, stiffening can refer to the process of making a material more rigid or rigidness in order to improve its mechanical properties.<br> In a military or athletic context, stiffening can refer to the act of becoming filled with a sense of pride, discipline, or determination, often in preparation for a challenge or competition.<br> In a stricter sense, stiffening can refer to the loss of fluidity or flexibility, as in a fast-moving liquid becoming thicker and more gel-like, or a situation becoming more formal or rigid.<br><br>In general, stiffening often implies a loss of flexibility or suppleness, and can be used to describe both physical and metaphorical changes.
verb (stiffens, stiffening, stiffened)<br><br>To become or make something stiff or unyielding.<br><br>Example: "The cold weather stiffens the back of my neck."
The quality of being stiff or having a fixed inflexibility: the stiffness of his stance made him difficult to persuade.
1. To stiffen or make stiff: stiffy something up.<br>2. (Informal) To deliberately take a long time to do something.<br>3. To make or become less flexible.<br>4. A male erection (often with a sense of criticism or discomfort).<br>5. (Slang) To make something rigid or inflexible in a situation.
To be stifled means to be restrained or suppressed, often resulting in a sense of frustration or resentment. It can also refer to something being successfully prevented from progressing or developing.<br><br>Example: "Her creative ideas were stifled by her conservative parents."
To stifle means to suppress or restrain strongly, often by force or pressure, often referring to a person's emotions, actions, or opinions. It can also mean to stop or prevent something from flourishing or succeeding.
Unbearably hot and humid, making it difficult to breathe or think clearly. (Often used to describe a very hot summer day or a crowded and stifling environment.)