stiffen
/ˈstɪfən/ · stiff·en
verb
- To make stiff. The cold weather stiffened her joints.
- To become stiff. After a long run, her legs began to stiffen.
verb
- To make someone or something feel or appear stiff or formal. The formal attire stiffened her posture.
Did you know? The word 'stiffen' has been used in various contexts, including in medicine to describe the stiffening of muscles or joints due to injury or disease.