noun
1. the physical property of being inflexible and hard to bend (Freq. 1)
• Derivationally related forms: ↑stiff
• Hypernyms: ↑inelasticity
2. the property of moving with pain or difficulty (Freq. 1)
-
he awoke with a painful stiffness in his neck
• Derivationally related forms: ↑stiff
• Hypernyms: ↑awkwardness, ↑clumsiness
3. firm resoluteness in purpose or opinion or action
-
a charming host without any touch of stiffness or pomposity
• Derivationally related forms: ↑stiff
• Hypernyms: ↑resoluteness, ↑firmness, ↑firmness of purpose, ↑resolve, ↑resolution
4. excessive sternness
-
severity of character
-
the harshness of his punishment was inhuman
-
the rigors of boot camp
• Syn:
↑severity, ↑severeness, ↑harshness, ↑rigor, ↑rigour, ↑rigorousness, ↑rigourousness, ↑inclemency, ↑hardness
• Derivationally related forms:
↑hard (for: ↑hardness), ↑inclement (for: ↑inclemency), ↑rigorous (for: ↑rigorousness), ↑rigorous (for: ↑rigor), ↑harsh (for: ↑harshness), ↑severe (for: ↑severeness), ↑severe (for: ↑severity)
• Hypernyms: ↑sternness, ↑strictness
5. the inelegance of someone stiff and unrelaxed (as by embarrassment)
• Syn: ↑awkwardness, ↑clumsiness, ↑gracelessness
• Derivationally related forms: ↑stiff, ↑graceless (for: ↑gracelessness), ↑clumsy (for: ↑clumsiness), ↑awkward (for: ↑awkwardness)
• Hypernyms: ↑inelegance
• Hyponyms: ↑woodenness, ↑rusticity, ↑gaucherie
Useful english dictionary. 2012.