stiffness

[ stif-nis ]

noun

1. the state or condition of being rigid or firm:

   The bicycle’s frame is well balanced, with excellent stiffness throughout.

   Conventional wisdom has been that longer knife blades need more carbon for stiffness.

2. the state or condition of being unable to move easily:

   Proper stretching will help you avoid joint stiffness and muscle tension after a workout.

3. lack of ease or grace:

   The teacher offers advice on how to get over the stiffness or outright paralysis that can creep in when people make writing into a “big deal.”

4. the state or condition of being rigidly formal:

   There was a stiffness to the encounter, but the ambassador was not unfriendly.

   If representatives meet only under official circumstances, a degree of stiffness is introduced which does not allow people to exchange ideas as freely.

5. the state or condition of being excessive, difficult, or severe:

   The council expressed concern about the stiffness of the fines and sentences for such minor infractions.

6. (of soil) the state or condition of being compact; density:

   A variety of sediment samples are needed in order to recover different types of sediment, mainly based on their stiffness.

Other Words From

• o·ver·stiff·ness noun
• sem·i·stiff·ness noun
• un·stiff·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of stiffness¹

stiff ( def ) + -ness ( def )

Example Sentences

Parkinson's disease, a neurological disorder best known for causing tremors, stiffness, slow movement and poor balance, also causes cognitive symptoms that can progress to Parkinson's dementia.

From Science Daily

For example, they adjust the stiffness of their muscles when they walk on a more rigid surface.

From Science Daily

MND is progressive and causes muscle weakness, stiffness, and paralysis that gets worse over time.

From BBC

It enhances joint mobility and reduces joint stiffness.

From Los Angeles Times

About 1 in 150 people will experience more severe symptoms such as high fever, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness and paralysis, according to the World Health Organization.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• rigidity