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stiff
stiff / stif/ • adj. 1. not easily bent or changed in shape; rigid: a stiff black collar stiff cardboard. ∎ not moving as freely as is usual or desirable; difficult to turn or operate: a stiff drawer the faucet in the shower is a little stiff. ∎ (of a person or part of the body) unable to move easily and without pain: he was stiff from sitting on the desk a stiff back. ∎ (of a person or their manner) not relaxed or friendly; constrained: she greeted him with stiff politeness. ∎ viscous; thick: add wheat until the mixture is quite stiff. 2. severe or strong: they face stiff fines and a possible jail sentence a stiff increase in taxes. ∎ (of a wind) blowing strongly: a stiff breeze stirring the lake. ∎ requiring strength or effort; difficult: a long stiff climb up the bare hillside. ∎ (of an alcoholic drink) strong: a stiff measure of brandy. 3. (stiff with) inf. full of: the place is stiff with alarm systems. 4. (—— stiff) inf. having a specified unpleasant feeling to an extreme extent: she was scared stiff I was bored stiff with my project. 5. Bridge a card that is the only one of its suit in a hand: two red aces and a stiff club. • n. inf. 1. a dead body. 2. a boring, conventional person: ordinary working stiffs in respectable offices. ∎ inf. a fellow: the lucky stiff! • v. [tr.] inf. 1. (often be stiffed) cheat (someone) out of something, esp. money: several workers were stiffed out of their pay. ∎ fail to leave (someone) a tip. 2. ignore deliberately; snub. ∎ fail to appear for a promised engagement or appointment: he stiffed us and didn't show up. 3. kill: I want to get those pigs who stiffed your doctor. ∎ [intr.] be unsuccessful: as soon as he began singing about the wife and kids, his albums stiffed. PHRASES: stiff as a board inf. (of a person or part of the body) extremely stiff. a stiff upper lip a quality of uncomplaining stoicism: senior managers had to keep a stiff upper lip and remain optimistic.DERIVATIVES: stiff·ish adj. stiff·ly adv. stiff·ness n. |
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Cite this article
"stiff." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. 1 Jun. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "stiff." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. (June 1, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-stiff.html "stiff." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Retrieved June 01, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-stiff.html |
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stiff
stiff.
1. An adjective which, when applied to a ship, indicates that it returns quickly to the vertical when rolling in a heavy seaway and, when applied to a vessel under sail, that it is one that stands up well in a wind. This is a function in naval architecture of the metacentric height which has been built into the ship. See also tender. 2. It is also an adjective which is applied to the strength of the wind, a stiff breeze being one in which a square-rigger is able to carry all her sails. |
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Cite this article
"stiff." The Oxford Companion to Ships and the Sea. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. 1 Jun. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "stiff." The Oxford Companion to Ships and the Sea. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. (June 1, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O225-stiff.html "stiff." The Oxford Companion to Ships and the Sea. 2006. Retrieved June 01, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O225-stiff.html |
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stiff
stiff not flexible, rigid, OE.; (dial.) stalwart; (of wind) strong, steady XIII; steep so as to be difficult XVIII. OE. stīf, corr. to MLG., MDu. stīf (Du. stijf), ON. stífr :- Gmc. *stīfaz; rel. to L. stīpāre press, pack, stīpes stake, Lith. stiprùs strong.
Hence stiffen (-EN5) XVI. |
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Cite this article
T. F. HOAD. "stiff." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. 1 Jun. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. T. F. HOAD. "stiff." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. (June 1, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-stiff.html T. F. HOAD. "stiff." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Retrieved June 01, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-stiff.html |
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stiff
stiff
•biff, cliff, glyph, if, kif, miff, niff, quiff, riff, skew-whiff, skiff, sniff, spliff, stiff, tiff, whiff
•mischief • handkerchief
•neckerchief • kerchief • Cardiff
•Radcliffe
•bailiff, calif, caliph
•Wyclif • Northcliffe • anaglyph
•hieroglyph • tariff
•serif, sheriff
•midriff • hippogriff • mastiff • caitiff
•plaintiff • pontiff • Joseph
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Cite this article
"stiff." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. 1 Jun. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "stiff." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. (June 1, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-stiff.html "stiff." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Retrieved June 01, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-stiff.html |
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