Object

• sinew: Both these pieces read like a call to arms, an attempt to stiffen the sinews of the 1701 and 1702 parliaments.

• rib: Modeling considerations, stiffening ribs, extensive tables of relative effects for various arrangements.

• resolve: It seems to have stiffened resolve against the idea of the town's becoming England's " club capital.

• suspension: The cover also helps stiffen the rear suspension for precise sport riding.

• peak: The stiffened peak is okay, tho a wired one would be better.

• penalty: Full two dozen stiffening criminal penalties boosting sales for.

Modifying Another Word

• suddenly: He stiffened suddenly, barely hearing the cry from an area generally to his right.

• only: He shares this predicament with many in the UK but it has only stiffened his resolve to carry on with the trading regardless.

• not: The German resistance on the Western front did not stiffen in April 1945; by that time the German armies were falling apart.

• slightly: She would walk on to the set and you would find yourself stiffening slightly.

• so: Add flour to stiffen so that a fork will tank upright in the mixture.

• often: This was a coarse fabric of silk, wool, or silk mixed with wool or mohair, often stiffened with gum.

Used with why or when

• when: The joints stiffen when you are asleep, but it takes less than half an hour to get going in the morning.

Preposition: in

• position: It is particularly important to stretch the hip joint to prevent stiffening in a bent position making you lean forward.

Preposition: of

• muscle: This is due to stiffening of the heart muscle.

• spine: This does not mean keeping still in bed, because this can hasten the stiffening of the spine.

• joint: The second thing is a stiffening of the joints, which restricts the range of movement.

• limb: Some just consist of staring, perhaps accompanied by stiffening of the limbs and they may not cause the parents great concern.

• body: There may sometimes be occasional jerks or stiffening of the body.

Preposition: with

• whalebone: It is usual for the petticoat of a court dress to be supported by a substantial hoop stiffened with whalebone.