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stiff‧en
1 [intransitive] if you stiffen, your body suddenly becomes firm, straight, or still because you feel angry or anxious [≠ relax]: He touched her, and she stiffened.
He touched her, and she stiffened.2 [intransitive and transitive] to become stronger, more severe, or more determined, or to make something do this : a campaign to stiffen rules against drunk driving
a campaign to stiffen rules against drunk driving3 [intransitive] also stiffen up to become painful and difficult to move : My back had stiffened up.
My back had stiffened up.4 [transitive] to make material stiff so that it will not bend easily
