Obs. [f. STIFF a. (Cf. ME. STIVE v., OE. stífian.)]
1. intr. To grow strong.
1399. Langl., Rich. Redeles, III. 54. But as sone as þey [sc. young partridges] styffe and þat þey steppe kunne.
2. trans. To make stiff, stiffen.
1486. Bk. St. Albans, a vij. If her goorge be wide and the bowell any thyng stiffid.
1582. Stanyhurst, Æneis, IV. (Arb.), 118. But Dido affrighted, stift also in her obstinat onset,… Too the inner quadrant runneth.
1648. Hexham, II. Stijven, als, doecken Stijven, to Stiffe or to Starch linnen.
1652. W. Brough, Sacr. Princ. (ed. 2), 219. Covetousnesse … Lames the Hand to good Works. Stiffs the Knees to the Holy Sacrament.
Hence † Stiffed ppl. a.
1565. T. Stapleton, Fortr. Faith, 112 b. O hard stiffed necke, o froward harte.
