Stiffen

v. t.	1.	To make stiff; to make less pliant or flexible; as, to stiffen cloth with starch. [imp. & p. p. Stiffened ; p. pr. & vb. n. Stiffening.] Stiffen the sinews, summon up the blood. - Shak.
	2.	To inspissate; to make more thick or viscous; as, to stiffen paste.
	3.	To make torpid; to benumb.
v. i.	1.	To become stiff or stiffer, in any sense of the adjective. Like bristles rose my stiffening hair. - Dryden. The tender soil then stiffening by degrees. - Dryden. Some souls we see, Grow hard and stiffen with adversity. - Dryden.

Verb	1.	stiffen - become stiff or stiffer; "He stiffened when he saw his boss enter the room" Antonyms: relax, loose, loosen - become loose or looser or less tight; "The noose loosened"; "the rope relaxed"
	2.	stiffen - make stiff or stiffer; "Stiffen the cream by adding gelatine" Antonyms: loosen, loose - make loose or looser; "loosen the tension on a rope"
	3.	stiffen - restrict; "Tighten the rules"; "stiffen the regulations" Synonyms: tighten up, constrain, tighten

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