[f. STIFF a. + -NESS.] The state or quality of being stiff (in any sense).
1. Rigidity, inflexibility; viscosity (of liquids and semi-liquids); density, heaviness, compactness (of soil). Also fig.
1398. Trevisa, Barth. De P. R., XVII. clxxv. (1495), 717. Somtyme a crokyd rodde is put in the fyre: and by hete of the fyre the styfnesse and hardnesse is tempred and made nesshe, and so the rodde is the more easely streyghted.
c. 1440. Promp. Parv., 475/1. Styfnesse, or starkenesse, rigiditas, rigor.
1577. Googe, Heresbach’s Husb., I. 24 b. Some grounde requireth more seede then other, as the grounde is of stiffenesse or lightnesse.
1639. O. Wood, Alph. Bk. Secrets, 169. Incorporate all these in a morter with a pestle with oyle of white Rose, and Virgins waxe thin scraped to the stifnesse of a plaister.
1642. Fuller, Holy St., III. xx. 206. The stiffnesse of the judgement is abated, and suppled with charity.
1726–31. Waldron, Descr. Isle of Man (1865), 59. A woman … was saved by the stiffness of her hoop petticoat which kept her above water.
1869. Rankine, Machinery & Millwork, 531. In all cases in which precision of movement is required, stiffness is essential both to the moving pieces and to the framework of a machine.
b. (See quots.)
1710. J. Clarke, trans. Rohault’s Nat. Philos. (1729), I. 133. The Property which is called Stiffness, and which Workmen call the Power of Springing.
1824. Tredgold, Ess. Cast Iron, 202. The stiffness of a body is its resistance at a given deflexion.
c. Naut. (See quots.)
1877. W. H. White, Man. Nav. Archit., ii. 65. This method may be used in estimating the ‘stiffness’ of a ship, i.e. her power to resist inclination from the upright by the steady pressure of the wind on her sails.
1913. Attwood, Modern Warship, 67. For stability the metacentre must be above the centre of gravity and the distance it is above, or the metacentric height, is a measure of the stiffness of the ship.
2. Lack of suppleness (in limbs, muscles, etc.); the name of certain diseases causing rigor of muscles, esp. tetanus. Also fig.
1552. Huloet, Stifnes of sinowes, that the membres ne may be bowed, tetanicus morbus, tetanos.
1581. Mulcaster, Positions, vi. (1887), 47. Where ioyntes be to bend,… there must needes be motion: or else stifnesse will follow.
1591. Percivall, Sp. Dict., Calambre, stifnesse of the sinewes, the crampe, Neruorum rigor, spasmus.
1641. Tatham, Distracted State, IV. i. (1651), 20. Whose knee dares own a stiffeness? whose Obeysance To Adulanter dare be wanting?
1791. Burke, Corr. (1844), III. 365. Your mother is, bating occasional stiffness, very well.
1862. W. Hunter, Biggar & Ho. Fleming, iv. (1867), 105. The cattle are often attacked with a disease called the ‘stiffness’ or ‘cripple.’
† 3. Strength, sturdiness, stoutness; violence. Obs.
1399. Langl., Rich. Redeles, III. 251. Iche rewme … Sholde stable and stonde … By styffnesse and strengthe Of steeris well y-yokyd.
c. 1460. Promp. Parv. (Winch.), 436. Styfnesse, or strength, fortitudo, robur.
1596. Spenser, F. Q., IV. iv. 19. And him against Sir Blandamour did ride with all the strength and stifnesse that he can.
1623. Bingham, Xenophon, Lipsius’ Compar., V 3. They throw stones … with such stiffenesse and strength, that the blow seemeth to come from some Engine.
4. Inflexibility in purpose, opinion, or course of action; resolution, firmness; obstinacy; haughtiness.
1526. Pilgr. Perf. (W. de W., 1531), 92. Styfnes of mynde or obstinacy they haue, whyche frowardly wyll defende theyr errour.
1641. J. Jackson, True Evang. T., II. 161. Such as did seeke the Glory of Martyrs … out of stiffenesse of spirit.
1673. [R. Leigh], Transp. Reh., 39. There has been a party of ’em in England … of such a pontifical stiffness, as if they were companions for none but princes.
a. 1677. Barrow, Serm., Wks. 1716, II. 38. Where may we discern … that stoutness of courage and stillness of patience which you talk of as the … issues of faith?
1690. Locke, Hum. Und., IV. xvi. § 3. And yet these of all Men hold their Opinions with the greatest stiffness.
1741. C. Middleton, Cicero (1742), II. vi. 52. The other chiefs of the Aristocracy … whose stiffness had ruined their cause.
1887. Rider Haggard, Allan Q., xxi. 242. The … forces give on every side, there is no stiffness left in them.
5. Formality; constraint; lack of ease or grace; coldness, aloofness (of manners and deportment); artificiality, excessive regularity, pedantry (of style).
1638. Junius, Paint. Ancients, 27. All the statues before Dædalus his time, have had a most unpleasant stifnesse.
1710. Felton, Diss. Classics (1718), 70. Provided he … doth not make himself a Slave to his Rules; for that will introduce a Stiffness and Affectation, which are utterly abhorrent from all good Writing.
1717. Lady M. W. Montagu, Lett. to C’tess Mar, 18 April. An air so majestic, yet free from stiffness or affectation.
1748. Anson’s Voy., III. x. 412. There is a stiffness and minuteness in most of the Chinese productions.
1765. Ann. Reg., II. 56. The king,… laying aside all the stiffness of state,… enjoys himself with a few select friends.
1789. Burney, Hist. Mus., III. 330. The two parts in one … discover no restraint or stiffness in the melody, which continues to move with the same freedom, as if no canon had existence.
1836. [J. Grant], Random Recoll. Ho. Lords, xiii. 299. Before he had spoken two or three sentences, it must have been apparent … that he had not yet got rid of the formality and stiffness of school.
1907. J. A. Hodges, Elem. Photogr. (ed. 6), 118. Introducing an unnatural stiffness into the portrait.
