stiffen /ˈstɪfən/ TEM4 ( stiffening, stiffened, stiffens )

• 1. 

  V-I If you stiffen, you stop moving and stand or sit with muscles that are suddenly tense, for example because you feel afraid or angry. 僵住

  例：

  Ada stiffened at the sound of his voice.

  听到他的声音，艾达僵住了。

• 2. 

  V-I If your muscles or joints stiffen, or if something stiffens them, they become difficult to bend or move. 难于弯曲或活动

  例：

  The blood supply to the skin is reduced when muscles stiffen.

  肌肉发僵时，皮肤的供血量就会减少。

• 3. 

  PHRASAL VERB Stiffen up means the same as . 难于弯曲或活动

  例：

  These clothes restrict your freedom of movement and stiffen up the whole body.

  这些衣服使你的手脚难于自由活动，使整个身体也僵硬起来。

• 4. 

  V-T If something such as cloth is stiffened, it is made firm so that it does not bend easily. 使变硬 [usu passive]

  例：

  This special paper was actually thin, soft Sugiwara paper that had been stiffened with a kind of paste.

  这种特殊的纸实际上是一种面浆浆过的轻薄柔软的衫原纸。