stiffadj.n.adv.
/stɪf/, U.S. /stɪf/ A. adj.
I. Rigid, unyielding.
1. Rigid; not flexible or pliant.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > constitution of matter > hardness > types of hardness > [adjective] > stiff or rigid
stithc897
stiff1000
starkOE
inflexiblec1400
rigent?1440
unbowable1537
staffish1545
steya1586
unpliablea1618
rigid1618
unsupple1621
unpliant1624
immercurial1637
steeve1637
starky1657
impliablea1734
tharf1747
stiff as a poker1798
unbending1802
unbowsome1818
crisp1851
unbendable1884
poker-stiff1894
unfluxile1925
1000 Prudentius Glosses 272 in Germania N.S. XI. 394/1 Rigentem [barbam], stifne.
c1200 Trin. Coll. Hom. 139 Bare eorðe to bedde, and hard ston to bolstre, stiue here to shurte.
a1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomaeus Anglicus De Proprietatibus Rerum (BL Add. 27944) (1975) II. xvii. cxliii. 1042 Þe þridde kynde of wythy is mene bytwene þe tweyne furst..for he is more pliaunt þan þe more and more styffe þan þe lasse.
c1440 Promptorium Parvulorum 475/1 Styffe, or starke, rigidus.
1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 325/2 Styffe as a thyng is that wyll nat bowe, royde.
1577 B. Googe tr. C. Heresbach Foure Bks. Husbandry i. f. 45 The time of cutting of it [sc. grass], is when the Bent beginneth to fade and to waxe stiffe.
1590 E. Spenser Faerie Queene iii. xii. sig. Oo6v Horrour gan the virgins hart to perse, And her faire locks vp stared stiffe on end.
a1677 I. Barrow Wks. (1686) III. 189 As a stick, when once 'tis dry and stiff, you may break it, but you can never bend it into a streighter posture.
1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics iii, in tr. Virgil Wks. 113 The Garment, stiff with Ice, at Hearths is thaw'd. View more context for this quotation
1717 M. Prior Alma ii. 35 The Gown with stiff Embroid'ry shining.
1801 Ld. Nelson Let. 22 Jan. in Dispatches & Lett. (1846) VII. p. ccxxvii* With sleet and rain, ropes stiff, and sails half set, very squally, she works like a Cutter.
1842 Ld. Tennyson Morte d'Arthur in Poems (new ed.) II. 7 The many-knotted waterflags, That whistled stiff and dry about the marge.
1887 G. M. Fenn Master of Cerem. ii Isaac was in his striped jacket and the stiffest of white cravats.
1892 Photogr. Ann. II. 215 A narrow piece can now be nailed along the top to keep all stiff.
1913 Standard 14 July 4/6 An emulsion of paraffin and soft soap, applied..with a stiff brush.
2. in extended use.1807 W. Wordsworth Poems II. 48 Stiff in it's members, wither'd, changed of hue.1823 P. Egan Grose's Classical Dict. Vulgar Tongue (rev. ed.) Stiff ones, of no use, dead men.1831 Ann. Reg., Law Cases etc. (1832) 321/1 He wanted witness to fetch a stiff 'un, which witness believes meant a dead body.1837 Lady Willoughby de Eresby in C. K. Sharpe's Lett. (1888) II. 498 He addrest him [his adversary in a duel]: ‘Ah! you'll be a stiff one by to-morrow’.1871 ‘Hawk's-eye’ Turf Notes 11 Most assuredly it is the bookmakers that profit by the ‘safe uns’, or ‘stiff uns’, as..horses that have no chance of winning are called.1890 W. Besant Demoniac i. 17 If he hadn't been such an uncommon big man he would be a dead un, too—stiff un and dead!1890 A. Barrère & C. G. Leland Dict. Slang II. 306/2 There are two bookmakers in Melbourne nicknamed ‘the Undertakers’, because of their fondness for laying against stiff 'uns, which, in this case, means horses that are certain not to run.1895 A. Griffiths Criminals I have Known 228 He had been ‘took’ with the ‘stiff uns’ on him, and was sent to the ‘boat’ (penal servitude).1897 in J. S. Farmer & W. E. Henley Slang (1903) VI. ii. 365/2 Do not invest money Until you read The Rialto. Never on stiff 'uns, wrong 'uns, or dead 'uns.1953 Sat. Evening Post (Philadelphia) 4 Apr. 18/3 ‘I put over a couple of stiff ones,’ is the way a paperhanger describes an operation.
a. Of the body, limbs, joints, muscles, etc.: lacking suppleness, unable to move without pain (esp. owing to age, cold, injury, disease, exhaustion, etc.). to have a stiff neck: to suffer from a rheumatic affection of the neck (usually caused by exposure to a draught) in which the head cannot be moved without pain.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > the body > loose or stiff condition > [adjective]
leathwakec1000
lithebyc1000
starka1275
stiffc1305
standing1340
bainc1440
waldinc1485
resolveda1500
supplea1500
lash1513
limber1582
sagging1599
laxed1623
unslakeda1625
laxated1652
springy1674
gangling1764
lithesome1768
swack1768
unslackened1770
lissoma1800
wandle1803
loose-limbed1823
loose1846
unslacked1848
saggy1853
loose-jointed1859
loose-hung1869
gangly1871
c1305 St. Andrew 95 in Early Eng. Poems & Lives Saints (1862) 101 Here armes whan hi vpward reiȝte bicome as stif as treo.
1538 T. Elyot Dict. Obrigeo, to be or waxe styffe for colde.
1581 R. Mulcaster Positions xxxiii. 120 The body..withall is verie wearysome, and stif oftymes after.
1799 H. Lee Canterbury Tales (ed. 2) I. 329 When I awoke, I found my limbs stiff at once with weariness and cold.
1840 W. M. Thackeray Barber Cox in Comic Almanack 9 You and I, ma'am, I think, are too stiff to dance.
1847 C. Brontë Jane Eyre III. viii. 190 They were stiff with their long and jolting drive from Whitcross.
1865 W. Pennefather in Braithwaite Life & Lett. (1878) 393 I am like a stiff Irish post-horse, which, after it has stood still for an hour or two in the stable, can hardly move a limb.
1873 F. T. Roberts Handbk. Med. 247 Torticollis, wry-neck, or stiff-neck.
1902 A. Terton Lights & Shadows in Hosp. xi. 180 He was already possessed of one stiff leg.
1911 Encycl. Brit. XV. 488/2 A stiff joint may remain as the result of long continued inflammation.
1915 ‘F. Anstey’ Percy 6 I'd a good deal sooner put up with a little stuffiness than a stiff neck!
b. Rigid in death. stiff and stark: see stark adj. 5b. stiff one, stiff 'un, (a) a corpse (slang); (b) slang a racehorse certain to lose or not to run at all (cf. sense A. 2f below and B. 3b); (c) slang a forged note or cheque (properly sense A. 1: cf. A. 2).
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > the body > dead body > [noun]
lichc893
dust?a1000
holdc1000
bonesOE
stiff onea1200
bodyc1225
carrion?c1225
licham?c1225
worms' food or ware?c1225
corsec1250
ashc1275
corpsec1315
carcass1340
murraina1382
relicsa1398
ghostc1400
wormes warec1400
corpusc1440
scadc1440
reliefc1449
martc1480
cadaverc1500
mortc1500
tramort?a1513
hearse1530
bulk1575
offal1581
trunk1594
cadaverie1600
relicts1607
remains1610
mummya1616
relic1636
cold meat1788
mortality1827
death bone1834
deader1853
stiff1859
the world > life > the body > dead body > [adjective] > condition of
stiffa1200
colda1400
throa1400
starkc1425
clay-cold1633
stith1755
the world > animals > mammals > group Ungulata (hoofed) > family Equidae (general equines) > horse defined by purpose used for > [noun] > racehorse > outsider
outsider1836
caravanner1838
rank outsider1869
stiff one1871
stiffa1890
roughie1908
no-hoper1943
society > trade and finance > money > medium of exchange or currency > paper money > [noun] > counterfeit note(s)
screen1789
scrieve1800
shoful1828
green goods1856
stiff one1895
funny money1901
slush1924
a1200 Soul & Body in Phillipps Fragm. Ælfr. Gloss. 5 He [sc. the dead man] biþ sone stif.
1297 R. Gloucester's Chron. (Rolls) 7030 Astrangled he was riȝt þer, & deide atte borde al stif.
c1450 tr. Thomas à Kempis De Imitatione Christi i. xxiii. 32 He falling from hye brake his nek, he in etinge sodenly waxid stif.
1526 W. Bonde Pylgrimage of Perfection iii. sig. UUUviv Those blessed armes..which were so sore stretched on ye crosse, nowe all starke and styffe.
1603 R. Johnson tr. G. Botero Hist. Descr. Worlde 146 You shall see..many travellers brought into the townes sitting deade and stiffe.
c. In figurative context.
ΚΠ
1535 Bible (Coverdale) Psalms lxxiv. 5 Speake not with a stiff necke.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Henry VI, Pt. 2 (1623) iii. i. 16 He..passeth by with stiffe vnbowed Knee, Disdaining dutie that to vs belongs. View more context for this quotation
d. Of machinery, etc.: Working with excessive friction; apt to stick, hard to move.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > absence of movement > [adjective] > immovable > hard to move
stiff1848
1848 E. C. Gaskell Mary Barton I. v. 77 The plugs were stiff, and water could not be got.
e. Intoxicated, drunk. Cf. B. 4c. U.S. slang. rare.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > drink > thirst > excess in drinking > [adjective] > drunk
fordrunkenc897
drunkena1050
cup-shottenc1330
drunka1400
inebriate1497
overseenc1500
liquor1509
fou1535
nase?1536
full1554
intoxicate1554
tippled1564
intoxicated1576
pepst1577
overflown1579
whip-cat1582
pottical1586
cup-shota1593
fox-drunk1592
lion-drunk1592
nappy1592
sack-sopped1593
in drink1598
disguiseda1600
drink-drowned1600
daggeda1605
pot-shotten1604
tap-shackled1604
high1607
bumpsy1611
foxed1611
in one's cups1611
liquored1611
love-pot1611
pot-sick1611
whift1611
owl-eyed1613
fapa1616
hota1616
inebriated1615
reeling ripea1616
in one's (or the) pots1618
scratched1622
high-flown?1624
pot-shot1627
temulentive1628
ebrious1629
temulent1629
jug-bitten1630
pot-shaken1630
toxed1635
bene-bowsiea1637
swilled1637
paid1638
soaken1651
temulentious1652
flagonal1653
fuddled1656
cut1673
nazzy1673
concerned1678
whittled1694
suckey1699
well-oiled1701
tippeda1708
tow-row1709
wet1709
swash1711
strut1718
cocked1737
cockeyed1737
jagged1737
moon-eyed1737
rocky1737
soaked1737
soft1737
stewed1737
stiff1737
muckibus1756
groggy1770
muzzeda1788
muzzya1795
slewed1801
lumpy1810
lushy1811
pissed1812
blue1813
lush1819
malty1819
sprung1821
three sheets in the wind1821
obfuscated1822
moppy1823
ripe1823
mixed1825
queer1826
rosined1828
shot in the neck1830
tight1830
rummy1834
inebrious1837
mizzled1840
obflisticated1840
grogged1842
pickled1842
swizzled1843
hit under the wing1844
obfusticatedc1844
ebriate1847
pixilated1848
boozed1850
ploughed1853
squiffy?1855
buffy1858
elephant trunk1859
scammered1859
gassed1863
fly-blown1864
rotten1864
shot1864
ebriose1871
shicker1872
parlatic1877
miraculous1879
under the influence1879
ginned1881
shickered1883
boiled1886
mosy1887
to be loaded for bear(s)1888
squiffeda1890
loaded1890
oversparred1890
sozzled1892
tanked1893
orey-eyed1895
up the (also a) pole1897
woozy1897
toxic1899
polluted1900
lit-up1902
on (also upon) one's ear1903
pie-eyed1903
pifflicated1905
piped1906
spiflicated1906
jingled1908
skimished1908
tin hat1909
canned1910
pipped1911
lit1912
peloothered1914
molo1916
shick1916
zigzag1916
blotto1917
oiled-up1918
stung1919
stunned1919
bottled1922
potted1922
rotto1922
puggled1923
puggle1925
fried1926
crocked1927
fluthered1927
lubricated1927
whiffled1927
liquefied1928
steamed1929
mirackc1930
overshot1931
swacked1932
looped1934
stocious1937
whistled1938
sauced1939
mashed1942
plonked1943
stone1945
juiced1946
buzzed1952
jazzed1955
schnockered1955
honkers1957
skunked1958
bombed1959
zonked1959
bevvied1960
mokus1960
snockered1961
plotzed1962
over the limit1966
the worse for wear1966
wasted1968
wired1970
zoned1971
blasted1972
Brahms and Liszt?1972
funked up1976
trousered1977
motherless1980
tired and emotional1981
ratted1982
rat-arsed1984
wazzed1990
mullered1993
twatted1993
bollocksed1994
lashed1996
1737 Pennsylvania Gaz. 13 Jan. 2/2 He's Stiff.
1900 Dial. Notes 2 65 Stiff, adj.,..very drunk.
1956 N. Algren Walk on Wild Side i. 6 Getting stiff on the courthouse steps while denouncing the Roman Catholic clergy was a feat which regularly attracted scoffers and true believers alike.
1975 G. V. Higgins City on Hill i. 9 I always got stiff on the Fourth because it was the only way I could listen to all that crap.
f. Sport. Of a horse or athlete: certain (to win). Also of an event: certainly won, ‘in one's pocket’. Cf. sense A. 2b above. slang. ? Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > sport > match or competition > [adjective] > types of
maiden1598
well-run1601
unequal1654
well contested1722
returned1758
friendly1780
close-run1813
foursome1814
lightweight1823
tight1828
side1829
one-sided1839
scratch1851
international1859
all-comers1860
scrub1867
pointless1876
scoreless1885
replayed1886
peg-down1887
all-star1889
stiff1890
varsity1891
postseason1893
knock-out1896
best-of-(a specified odd number)1897
seeded1901
junior varsity1902
Simon Pure1905
pegged-down1908
JV1923
zero-sum1944
tie-breaking1970
society > leisure > sport > player or sportsperson > [adjective] > by ability
strongOE
scrub1867
all-star1889
stiff1890
first string1892
plus1906
match-winning1908
all-time1910
seeded1922
front line1939
sharpshooting1948
world-class1950
uncapped1955
storming1961
the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > absence of doubt, confidence > assured fact, certainty > certain prospect or possession > [adjective] > assured of victory
poundable1819
stiff1890
1890 A. Barrère & C. G. Leland Dict. Slang II. 306/2 Stiff for, (sporting Australian), certain for. The metaphor here is something that cannot be diverted (or averted). After the Melbourne Derby and Cup of 1880, Grand Flaneur was considered stiff for every race for which he was entered.
1912 Punch 21 Aug. 168/3 He ought to have this event absolutely stiff at the next Olympic Games.
g. Unlucky. Australian and New Zealand slang.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > adversity > calamity or misfortune > [adjective]
unseelyOE
ungraciousa1387
infortunatec1390
unhappy1390
haplessa1400
mischancefula1400
unfortunedc1403
infortuneda1413
maleurousa1460
infortunable?a1475
mal-infortunedc1475
unselc1480
mischanced1488
misadventurousa1500
unhap1509
misfortunate1510
mischancya1522
unuredc1525
maleureda1529
unlucky1530
unfortunate1548
luckless1563
unluckly1564
unfortunable1567
untoward1570
unable?1572
sinister1576
unsonsy1578
disaster1584
disastereda1586
disastrous1586
unweirdedc1590
wanhappy?1590
misbefallen1591
fortuneless1596
infelicious1598
misadventured1599
improsperous1602
untoward1632
unhandsome1640
ill-fated1715
donsie?1719
swarthy1756
infelicitous1835
bad luck1872
stiff1919
spooked1937
jinxed1972
1919 W. H. Downing Digger Dial. 47 Stiff (adj.), unlucky.
1922 A. Wright Colt from Country 124 ‘On'y just got cut out of second place,’ declared Knocker. ‘Ain't a man stiff?’
1930 Bulletin (Sydney) 3 Dec. 22/3 ‘'Struth!’ gasped Chips. ‘If we're not stiff! Nothing doing for two days, Tommy.’
1958 N.Z. Listener 27 June 6/3 Then came the third Test... Maybe they were a bit stiff to lose that, but once again I think it was just that lack of solidity in the middle of the pack.
3. Rigid as the result of tension; taut. Now rare or Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > constitution of matter > hardness > types of hardness > [adjective] > taut
stiffc1386
unrelaxed1508
taut1567
tight1576
strait1578
strict1578
starka1642
tense1671
stith1825
strict1860
stent1886
c1386 G. Chaucer Summoner's Tale 559 Thanne shal this cherl with bely stif and toght As any Tabour, been hyder ybroght.
?1611 G. Chapman tr. Homer Iliads viii. 260 Another arrow forth from his stiffe string he sent.
1649 J. Milton Εικονοκλαστης xxvii. 216 We shall not have it unless his arbitrary voice will so farr slack'n the stiff curb of his Prerogative, as to grant it us.
1696 E. Phillips New World of Words (new ed.) To set taught the shrouds, in the Navigators Dialect, is to make them stiffer when they are too slack.
4. Of a semi-liquid substance: thick or viscous, so as to flow with difficulty or to be capable of retaining a definite shape.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > constitution of matter > density or solidity > viscosity > [adjective]
thickc888
toughc1000
cleavingc1350
gluey1382
gluish1382
gleiming1387
gummya1398
clammy1398
gleimy1398
viscosec1400
viscousc1400
emplastic?a1425
plastery?c1425
stiffc1430
clamc1440
engleimous?c1475
rawky1509
rich1535
clammish1543
limy1552
strong1560
glutinous1576
cloggy1587
emplastical1590
viscuous1603
plasterish1610
slaba1616
bound1635
viscid1635
lentous1646
spiscious1655
melleous1656
salivarious1656
glutining1658
syrupical1659
glairy1662
gummous1669
gummose1678
mellaginous1681
melligineous1684
pargety1684
sticky1688
sizy1691
dauby1697
syrupy1707
treacly?1734
glaireous1755
flabbyc1780
spissid1782
stodgy1823
waxy1835
teery1848
treacle-like1871
viscoid1877
slauming1904
gooey1906
gloopy1929
gunky1937
gungy1962
yucky1975
the world > matter > constitution of matter > density or solidity > state of being thick enough to retain form > [adjective] > of stiff consistency
stiffc1430
pluggy1892
c1430 Two Cookery-bks. i. 15 & let þe Sirippe be rennyng, & not to styf.
c1450 Two Cookery-bks. ii. 71 Grynde hem thorgh a Streynour into stuffe mylke.
1594 Good Huswifes Handmaide 40 b Set the pan in some colde place that it [the liquor] may be stiffe: and when it is stiffe, take a sharp knife and cut away the vppermost of the gellie.
1700 Moxon's Mech. Exercises: Bricklayers-wks. 24 In Summer time use your Morter as soft as you can, but in the Winter time pretty stiff or hard.
c1770 H. Glasse Compl. Confectioner 118 Then work it up into a stiff paste.
1827 M. Faraday Chem. Manip. xix. 492 If the hot part be on the convex side, it yields..much more than the stiffer glass on the cooler part.
1892 Photogr. Ann. II. 271 Stiff paste such as used by bookbinders.
5. Of soil: heavy, dense; not porous or friable; difficult to work.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the earth > structure of the earth > constituent materials > earth or soil > soil qualities > [adjective] > dense
sad?1440
stiff?1523
pinnya1684
pinnocky1875
?1523 J. Fitzherbert Bk. Husbandry f. vi Byg and styffe grounde as clay.
1618 W. Lawson New Orchard & Garden (1623) 4 A stiffe clay will not receiue the water.
1763 Museum Rusticum (1764) 1 194 On some stiff spewy land I have, I sow my peas in ridges.
1866 J. E. T. Rogers Hist. Agric. & Prices I. ii. 19 Stiff lands, on which water was apt to lie, were ridged.
1867 W. H. Smyth & E. Belcher Sailor's Word-bk. Stiff Bottom, a clayey bottom.
6. Tight, closely packed. Now hyperbolically in colloquial use: Densely crowded (with). Also figurative.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > place > presence > fact of taking up space > [adjective] > full > crowded
thickc893
replete?a1475
frequentc1540
throng1557
thicky1587
thronged1605
celebrious1611
crowded1612
stiff1683
swarming1810
multitudinous1820
throngful1830
dense1842
swarmy1858
teeminga1873
swarmed1885
mobbed1898
the world > space > place > presence > fact of taking up space > [adjective] > filling > stuffing or cramming
stiff1683
1683 J. Moxon Mech. Exercises II. 212 Justifying (in Compositers Language) is the stiff or loose filling of his Stick, for if it be fill'd very stiff with Letters or Spaces, they say it is hard Justified, if loosly, they say it is loose Justified.
1907 Motor Boat 19 Sept. 182/1 There seemed as many, if not more, yachts than ever, and the water was ‘stiff’ with masts and rigging.
1915 Daily News 16 Aug. 4 I shall never forget one of his picturesque phrases about the difficulty of entering a harbour ‘stiff with craft’ on a dark night.
1916 Blackwood's Mag. Feb. 284/2 The salient is stiff with guns.
1939 F. Thompson Lark Rise ii. 42 Their talk was stiff with simile.
1977 B. Pym Quartet in Autumn iv. 34 That season of the year was stiff with festivals.
7. Of a ship: offering a high resistance to deflection from the vertical or normal floating position; stable, not crank.A ship is more or less stiff according as the height of the metacentre above the centre of gravity is greater or less.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > travel by water > vessel, ship, or boat > vessel with reference to qualities or attributes > [adjective] > seaworthy or stable
navigable1535
snugc1595
stout1622
stiff1627
wholesome1627
seaworthy1807
1627 J. Smith Sea Gram. xii. 56 So stiffe, she should beare a stiffe saile and beare out her lower tier in any reasonable weather.
1708 P. A. Motteux Wks. F. Rabelais iv. lxiii Our..Vessels might not..be walt, but well trimmed, and stiff.
1837 H. Martineau Society in Amer. II. 10 She [the ship] was a lovely creature, and as stiff as a church.
1889 J. J. Welch Text Bk. Naval Archit. i. 21 In order that the ship may be stiff—i.e. difficult to incline by external forces such as wind pressure on sails.
8. figurative.† c. to stand stiff: to stand firm; esp. figurative to be steadfast or obstinate. Obsolete.
a. Inflexible of purpose, steadfast, resolute, firm, constant.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > decision > constancy or steadfastness > [adjective]
fasteOE
stathelfasteOE
anredOE
hardOE
starkOE
trueOE
steadfast993
fastredeOE
stithc1000
findyOE
stablea1275
stathelyc1275
stiffc1275
stablec1290
steel to the (very) backa1300
unbowinga1300
stably13..
firm1377
unmovablea1382
constantc1386
abidingc1400
toughc1400
sure1421
unmoblea1425
unfaintedc1425
unfaint1436
permanent?a1475
stalwartc1480
unbroken1513
immovable1534
inconcuss1542
unshaken1548
stout1569
unwavering1570
undiscourageable1571
fixed1574
discourageable1576
unappalled1578
resolute1579
unremoved1583
resolved1585
unflexiblea1586
unshakeda1586
square1589
unstooping1597
iron1598
rocky1601
steady1602
undeclinable1610
unboweda1616
unfainting1615
unswayed1615
staunch1624
undiscourageda1628
staid1631
unshook1633
blue?1636
true blue?1636
tenacious1640
uncomplying1643
yieldless1651
riveting1658
unshakened1659
inconquerable1660
unyielding1677
unbendinga1688
tight1690
unswerving1694
unfaltering1727
unsubmitting1730
undeviating1732
undrooping1736
impervertible1741
undamped1742
undyingc1765
sturdy1775
stiff as a poker1798
unfickle1802
indivertible1821
thick and thin1822
undisheartened1827
inconvertible1829
straightforward1829
indomitable1830
stickfast1831
unsuccumbing1833
unturnable1847
unswerved1849
undivertible1856
unforsaking1862
swerveless1863
steeve1870
rock-ribbed1884
stiff in the back1897
c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1963) l. 1056 Stif he wes on þonke.
c1300 Beket (Percy Soc.) 944 Somme of the Kinges conseillers to him ofte wende, And seide, bote he hulde him stif, al his lond he schende.
1548 Hall's Vnion: Edward IV f. ccxiiiv All the tounes rounde aboute wer permanent and stiffe, on the parte of kyng Henry, and could not bee remoued.
1602 J. Marston Antonios Reuenge iv. v. sig. Iv We must be stiffe and steddie in resolue.
1719 in Colonial Rec. Pennsylvania (1852) III. 72 He was Mr. Penns stiff Friend.
1847 C. Brontë Jane Eyre III. xi. 292 He asked me more than once [to marry him], and was as stiff about urging his point as ever you could be.
1884 Pall Mall Gaz. 4 Jan. 1/1 We shall have to be a great deal stiffer about the Soudan.
b. In an unfavourable sense: obstinate, stubborn; not amenable to reason. Now rare.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > decision > obstinacy or stubbornness > [adjective] > inflexible
ironOE
stour1303
strange1338
unmovablea1382
inflexible1398
stoutc1410
unpliablea1425
intreatable1509
stiff1526
stiff-necked1526
unpliant1547
stout-hearted1552
inexorable1553
obstinate1559
strait-laced1560
impersuasible1576
unflexiblea1586
hard-edged1589
adamantive1594
unyielding1594
adder-deaf1597
steeled1600
irrefragable1601
rigid1606
unpersuadable1607
imployable1613
unswayablea1616
uncompellable1623
inflexive?1624
over-rigid1632
unlimbera1639
seta1640
incomplying1640
uncomplying1643
stiff-girt1659
impersuadable1680
unbendinga1688
impracticable1713
unblendable1716
stiff-rumped1728
unconvinciblea1747
uncompounding1782
unplastic1787
unbending1796
adamant1816
uneasy1819
uncompromising1828
cast iron1829
hard-hitting1831
rigoristic1844
ramrod1850
pincé1858
anchylosed1860
unbendable1884
tape-bound1900
tape-tied1900
hard line1903
tough1905
absolutist1907
hard-arsed1942
go-for-broke1946
hardcore1951
hard-arse1966
hard-ass1967
hardball1974
1526 W. Bonde Rosary sig. Ciii Whan they shalbe obstynate in malyce, and styffe as a drie stycke.
1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 325/2 Styffe as ones herte is, dur.
1563 2nd Tome Homelyes Homily xviii. 255 These thynges must be considered of the man, that he be not to styffe, so that he ought to wynke at some thynges, and must gentilly expounde all thynges, and to forbeare.
1601 Bp. W. Barlow Serm. Paules Crosse Martij 1600 49 Two of thy principall, stiffe and open Papists.
a1677 I. Barrow Wks. (1686) III. 378 Men not enduring to..be termed..a clownish singularist,..a stiff opiniatrè.
1681 J. Dryden Absalom & Achitophel 17 Stiff in Opinions, always in the wrong.
a1715 Bp. G. Burnet Hist. Own Time (1724) I. 345 You know my brother long ago, that he is as stiff as a mule.
1725 T. Thomas in Portland MSS. (Hist. MSS. Comm.) VI. 122 A civil well-behaved man though a stiff Presbyterian.
1838 T. C. Haliburton Clockmaker 2nd Ser. vii. 104 Considerable stiff folks, in their way them quakers—you can't no more move 'em than a church steeple.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > decision > constancy or steadfastness > be constant or steadfast [verb (intransitive)]
standeOE
cleavec1275
to stand stiffa1290
stick1447
to stand or stick to one's tackling1529
to stand in this1538
to set down (the or one's) staff1584
to stand one's ground1600
to stand to one's pan pudding1647
to maintain one's ground1736
to nail one's colours (also flag) to the mast (also masthead)1808
to stay put1843
to stand firm1856
to sit tight1890
to keep the flag flying1914
to dig in one's toes1933
to hold the line1956
a1290 S. Eustace 24 in Horstm. Altengl. Leg. (1881) 212 He stod stiuest of alle.
1362 W. Langland Piers Plowman A. ix. 28 For stonde he neuere so stif he stumbleþ in þe waggyng.
1535 Bible (Coverdale) Prov. xxviii. A The vngodly flyeth no man chasynge him, but the rightuous stondeth stiff as a lyon.
1561 T. Hoby tr. B. Castiglione Courtyer i. sig. C.ii Neither will I..stand stiffe that mine is better then yours.
a1631 J. Donne Poems (1650) 28 Small townes which stand stiffe, till great shot Enforce them.
1655 Bp. J. Taylor Guide Devot. (1719) 50 It is a Shame to stand stiff in a foolish or weak Argument or Resolution.
d. Of a battle, debate, etc.: Stubbornly contested, hard.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > manner of action > vigour or energy > [adjective] > of action: involving or requiring vigour > carried out or proceeding with vigour
stiffc1250
busyc1275
greatc1275
sternc1275
smart?a1400
stark1489
thronga1525
vigorous1524
stout1582
intensive1605
spiritful?1611
warm1627
intense1645
mettlesome1645
spirited1670
mettled1682
sturdy1697
energetic1700
vivid1702
robustful1800
toughish1840
lively1844
full out1920
society > society and the community > dissent > contention or strife > [adjective] > that is the subject of contention > strongly contested
stiffc1250
hard-fought1633
well-disputed1654
pull devil, pull baker (also parson, tailor, etc.)1778
ding-dong1795
c1250 Owl & Night. 5 Þat plait was stif and starc and strong.
a1400–50 Wars Alex. 2050 So sture & styff was þe stoure.
1639 Conceits, Clinches etc. (1860) 29 One was holding a stiffe argument with a grocer concerning matters of trade.
a1661 T. Fuller Worthies (1662) Surrey 77 There is a stiff contest betwixt the Dutch and Italians which should exceed in this Mystery.
1812 Duke of Wellington Dispatches (1837) VIII. 666 Marmont's troops are all ready for a start but I hope to be strong enough for a stiff affair with him and Soult.
1823 ‘J. Bee’ Slang 166 In the ring, 'tis called ‘a stiff fight’ when the men stand up well to each other, giving and taking.
1868 M. E. Grant Duff Polit. Surv. 132 He has been elected after a very stiff contest.
1916 J. Buchan Nelson's Hist. War IX. lxx. 161 To withdraw through that area meant a stiff holding battle around Brest.
e. Severe, stern; angry.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > anger > [adjective]
irrec825
gramec893
wemodc897
wrothc950
bolghenc1000
gramelyc1000
hotOE
on fireOE
brathc1175
moodyc1175
to-bollenc1175
wrethfulc1175
wraw?c1225
agrameda1300
wrathfula1300
agremedc1300
hastivec1300
irousa1340
wretheda1340
aniredc1350
felonc1374
angryc1380
upreareda1382
jealous1382
crousea1400
grieveda1400
irefula1400
mada1400
teena1400
wraweda1400
wretthy14..
angryc1405
errevousa1420
wrothy1422
angereda1425
passionatec1425
fumous1430
tangylc1440
heavy1452
fire angry1490
wrothsomea1529
angerful?1533
wrothful?1534
wrath1535
provoked1538
warm1547
vibrant1575
chauffe1582
fuming1582
enfeloned1596
incensed1597
choleric1598
inflameda1600
raiseda1600
exasperate1601
angried1609
exasperated1611
dispassionate1635
bristlinga1639
peltish1648
sultry1671
on (also upon) the high ropes (also rope)1672
nangry1681
ugly1687
sorea1694
glimflashy1699
enraged1732
spunky1809
cholerous1822
kwaai1827
wrathy1828
angersome1834
outraged1836
irate1838
vex1843
raring1845
waxy1853
stiff1856
scotty1867
bristly1872
hot under the collar1879
black angry1894
spitfire1894
passionful1901
ignorant1913
hairy1914
snaky1919
steamed1923
uptight1934
broigus1937
lemony1941
ripped1941
pissed1943
crooked1945
teed off1955
ticked off1959
ripe1966
torqued1967
bummed1970
society > authority > strictness > [adjective] > severe or stern
wrothc893
retheeOE
stithc897
starkOE
sternOE
hardOE
dangerous?c1225
sharpa1340
asperc1374
austerec1384
shrewda1387
snella1400
sternful?a1400
unsterna1400
dour?a1425
piquant1521
tetrical1528
tetric1533
sorea1535
rugged?1548
severe1548
hard-handed1611
Catonian1676
tetricous1727
heavy1849
acerbic1853
stiff1856
Catonic1883
tough1905
the world > action or operation > behaviour > bad behaviour > harshness or severity > [adjective]
heavyc825
retheeOE
stithc897
hardeOE
starkOE
sternOE
dangerous?c1225
sharp?c1225
unsoftc1275
sturdy1297
asperc1374
austerec1384
shrewda1387
snella1400
sternful?a1400
dour?a1425
thrallc1430
piquant1521
tetrical1528
tetric1533
sorea1535
rugged?1548
severe1548
iron1574
harsh1579
strict1600
angry1650
Catonian1676
Draconic1708
tetricous1727
alkaline1789
acerbic1853
stiff1856
acerbate1869
acerbitous1870
Draconian1876
Catonic1883
1856 W. M. Thackeray Misc. II. 272 The old gent cut up uncommon stiff.
1930 W. S. Maugham Cakes & Ale viii. 104 I wrote a pretty stiff letter to the librarian.
f. Cricket. Of a batter: tending to play stubbornly in a defensive manner.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > ball game > cricket > cricketer > [adjective] > type of batsman
well-set1864
stiff1869
strokeless1963
1869 Field 28 Aug. 176/3 This lucky escape seemed to endow the ‘stiff batsman’ with more than ordinary vigour.
1877 C. Box Eng. Game Cricket xxvi. 461 Stiff bat, usually applied to a batsman who stubbornly defends his wicket.
1885 R. H. Lyttelton in James Lillywhite's Cricketers' Compan. (ed. 41) 16 Midwinter..[was] a stiff and careful bat.
9. Formal, constrained, lacking ease or grace.
a. Of bearing, manners, etc.: Unbending (expressing pride, coldness, displeasure, awkwardness, and the like); not easy or gracious; haughty.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > pride > haughtiness or disdainfulness > [adjective]
overmoodeOE
highlyOE
overmoodOE
overmoodyOE
orgelc1175
dangerous?c1225
orgula1275
orgulousc1275
fiercec1290
hautain1297
highfulc1325
squeamousc1325
deignousc1330
digne1340
disdainousc1374
sirlya1375
lordlyc1390
high-hearteda1398
haught1430
haut1430
coppedc1449
excellentc1450
fastidious?a1475
loftyc1485
dain?1507
hichty1513
stiff-necked1526
supercilious1528
haughty1530
taunt?a1534
disdainfula1542
high in the instep1555
skeighc1560
queen-like?1571
surlyc1572
stately1579
coy1581
paughtya1586
steya1586
disdained1598
dortya1605
lordlike1605
overly1606
magnatical1608
stiff1608
surly-borne1609
high-sighted1610
lofty-minded1611
sublimed1611
patronizing1619
lording1629
sublimated1634
cavaliering1642
uncondescending1660
nose-in-the-air1673
sidy1673
fastuose1674
uncondescensive1681
condescending1707
stiff-rumped1728
fastidiose1730
cavalier1751
ogertful1754
pawky1809
supercilian1825
splendid1833
touch-me-not1852
pincé1858
high-stepping1867
eyeglassy1871
sniffy1871
cavalierly1876
snifty1889
Olympian1900
ritzy1920
mugwumpish1923
blasé1930
stiff-arsed1937
nose-high1939
the world > action or operation > behaviour > bad behaviour > discourtesy > [adjective] > not affable
strange1338
estrangec1374
formal?1518
cold1557
squeamish1561
icy1567
buckrama1589
repulsive1598
starched1600
unaffable1603
stiff1608
withdrawing1611
reserved1612
aloof1639
cool1641
uncordial1643
inaffable1656
staunch1659
standfra1683
distant1710
starcha1716
distancing1749
pokerish1779
buckramed1793
angular1808
easeless1811
touch-me-not1817
starchy1824
standoffish1826
offish1827
poker-backed1830
standoff1837
stiffish1840
chilly1841
unapproachable1848
hedgehoggy1866
sticky1882
hard-to-get1899
stand-away1938
princesse lointaine1957
1608 T. Middleton Mad World, my Masters i. sig. A3 Hee..thinkes himselfe neuer happier then when some stiffe L. or great Countesse alights, to make light his dishes.
1613 H. Wotton Let. 22 Apr. in Reliquiæ Wottonianæ (1672) 409 It is conceived that the King hath a good while been much distasted with the said Gentleman..for too stiff a carriage of his fortune.
1754 Earl of Chatham Lett. to Nephew (1804) v. 36 Ceremonious, formal compliments, stiff civilities, will never be politeness.
1820 W. Scott Monastery III. iv. 113 The knight..thanked him with the stiff condescension of the court of Elizabeth.
1831 Society 1 196 Lord Glamorgan was stiff and cold in his manner to strangers.
1859 J. M. Jephson & L. Reeve Narr. Walking Tour Brittany v. 57 The stiff respectabilities..of an English country neighbourhood.
b. Of style, diction, etc.: lacking ease and grace; laboured, formal pedantic.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > literature > style of language or writing > ornateness > [adjective] > laboured or pedantic
tricked1549
pedantical1592
laboured1613
pedantic1631
laborious1657
stiff1664
long-nebbed1818
stiltified1820
stiltish1824
overwrought1839
uncolloquial1840
stilty1845
Ollendorffian1848
literose1859
stilted1874
Hisperic1904
1664 J. Dryden Rival Ladies 1st Prol. Though his Plot's Dull, as can be well desir'd, Wit stiff as any you have e'r admir'd.
1715 H. Felton Diss. reading Classics (ed. 2) 135 Too scrupulous an Observation of Rules spoileth all sorts of Writings: It maketh them Stiff and Formal.
1849 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. II. vii. 247 He had enjoyed high fame as an orator, though his diction..was, towards the close of his life, pronounced stiff and pedantic.
1898 E. Gosse Short Hist. Mod. Eng. Lit. vii. 238 A mass of stiff blank verse.
c. Of artistic form or arrangement: Excessively regular; lacking grace of line.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > visual arts > work of art > [adjective] > qualities of work of art
uniforma1552
sweet1662
stiff1779
chargeda1806
late1851
ineffective1858
detailed1867
schematic1868
rhythmical1880
functional1881
late-period1927
engaged1947
engagé1955
retardataire1958
1779 Mirror No. 61. 203 In his grounds you find stiff, rectangular walks.
1813 Lady Lyttelton Corr. (1912) 160 I cannot accustom myself at all to the foreign stiff way of furnishing the rooms.
1870 F. R. Wilson Archit. Surv. Churches Lindisfarne 23 It was..replaced by a similar stiff structure.
1912 J. L. Myres Dawn of Hist. viii. 175 A limited stock of stiff geometrical designs.
d. Of handwriting: lacking ease and freedom; not flowing. Cf. sense A. 2.
ΘΚΠ
society > communication > writing > handwriting or style of > [adjective] > constrained or not flowing
stiff1818
1818 W. Scott Heart of Mid-Lothian xi, in Tales of my Landlord 2nd Ser. IV. 222 The manuscript was a fair Italian hand, though something stiff and constrained.
1885 ‘Mrs. Alexander’ At Bay viii. 126 Several letters were brought to him, one, directed in a stiff, careful, unknown hand.
10. Of price, charges, rates, etc.: unyielding, firm; having an upward tendency. Hence of a commodity or the dealers in it. Cf. A. 20.
ΘΚΠ
society > trade and finance > monetary value > price > fluctuation in price > steadiness in price > [adjective]
hard1838
steady1857
firm1883
stiff1883
1883 Manch. Examiner 14 Dec. 4/1 For three month's bills the terms were firm at 2 5/ 8 per cent, but for January paper the rate was stiffer.
1886 R. Holland Gloss. Words County of Chester (at cited word) A butcher will tell you ‘You're very stiff this morning’ if you will not come down at all in the price of a beast.
1888 Daily News 5 Nov. 7/2 Buyers..find sellers stiff.
1893 Daily News 14 July 3/7 The latest reports from London show that merinos are a little stiffer.
11. 1958 Listener 16 Oct. 621/3 She criticizes herself for being too stiff-upper-lipped about the tragedy that she faces.1961 A. O. J. Cockshut Imagination of Charles Dickens viii. 116 He oscillated between indignation, self-pity, and reticence of the stiff-upper-lip English school.1961 John o' London's 19 Oct. 447/2 The second film contains a firmly disciplined..undercurrent of Miniverish stiff-upper-lippery.1963 Listener 3 Jan. 42/1 It was all very improbable and too stiff-upper-lippish to have been written by anybody but an anglophile Frenchman.1973 New Society 31 May 483/2 MPs, in praising stiffupperlippishness, used sex as a stalking horse.1977 Broadcast 14 Nov. 10/3 The British are stiff upper-lipping through power cuts.1978 W. F. Buckley Stained Glass xv. 153 As you say, we must be stiff-upper-lip formal.1979 Verbatim Autumn 14/2 Two of the men, an upper-class Indian and an English Colonel, share a British university education, and they have a private joke of using pip-pip!, I say, and stiff upper lip expressions to each other.1979 Evening News 6 Feb. 7/4 With rakish Parker, Prince Philip found that he could relax from the strains of state business and stiff-upper-lippery.1983 Listener 20 Jan. 33/1 Nigel Anthony is the stiff-upper-lipped adventurer.
a. Colloquial phrases. stiff as a poker; stiff in the back, firm, resolute; to keep (carry, have) a stiff upper lip, to be firm, unyielding; hence stiff-upper-lip adj.; also as v. intransitive and adv.; also stiff-upper-lipped adj., stiff-upper-lippery, stiff-upper-lippish adj., stiffupperlippishness.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > decision > constancy or steadfastness > [adjective]
fasteOE
stathelfasteOE
anredOE
hardOE
starkOE
trueOE
steadfast993
fastredeOE
stithc1000
findyOE
stablea1275
stathelyc1275
stiffc1275
stablec1290
steel to the (very) backa1300
unbowinga1300
stably13..
firm1377
unmovablea1382
constantc1386
abidingc1400
toughc1400
sure1421
unmoblea1425
unfaintedc1425
unfaint1436
permanent?a1475
stalwartc1480
unbroken1513
immovable1534
inconcuss1542
unshaken1548
stout1569
unwavering1570
undiscourageable1571
fixed1574
discourageable1576
unappalled1578
resolute1579
unremoved1583
resolved1585
unflexiblea1586
unshakeda1586
square1589
unstooping1597
iron1598
rocky1601
steady1602
undeclinable1610
unboweda1616
unfainting1615
unswayed1615
staunch1624
undiscourageda1628
staid1631
unshook1633
blue?1636
true blue?1636
tenacious1640
uncomplying1643
yieldless1651
riveting1658
unshakened1659
inconquerable1660
unyielding1677
unbendinga1688
tight1690
unswerving1694
unfaltering1727
unsubmitting1730
undeviating1732
undrooping1736
impervertible1741
undamped1742
undyingc1765
sturdy1775
stiff as a poker1798
unfickle1802
indivertible1821
thick and thin1822
undisheartened1827
inconvertible1829
straightforward1829
indomitable1830
stickfast1831
unsuccumbing1833
unturnable1847
unswerved1849
undivertible1856
unforsaking1862
swerveless1863
steeve1870
rock-ribbed1884
stiff in the back1897
the mind > emotion > courage > moral courage > stoicism > [adjective]
firm1377
steel-nerveda1400
stablec1440
stiff-upper-lipped1798
stiff-upper-lip1961
stiff-upper-lippish1963
the mind > emotion > courage > moral courage > stoicism > to be stiff-upper-lipped [verb]
to be of (good) comfortc1320
to be of good cheera1413
to stand buff1701
to keep (carry, have) a stiff upper lip1798
to die game1886
stiff-upper-lip1977
the world > matter > constitution of matter > hardness > types of hardness > [adjective] > stiff or rigid
stithc897
stiff1000
starkOE
inflexiblec1400
rigent?1440
unbowable1537
staffish1545
steya1586
unpliablea1618
rigid1618
unsupple1621
unpliant1624
immercurial1637
steeve1637
starky1657
impliablea1734
tharf1747
stiff as a poker1798
unbending1802
unbowsome1818
crisp1851
unbendable1884
poker-stiff1894
unfluxile1925
the world > space > relative position > posture > upright or erect posture > [adjective] > stiff
jointless1748
stiff as a poker1798
ramrod1850
unbowsome1894
the mind > will > decision > constancy or steadfastness > be constant or steadfast [verb (intransitive)] > endure without giving way
bearOE
sustaina1382
dreec1400
to bear, hold tack1580
to stick out1677
to tough it (out)1830
to keep (carry, have) a stiff upper lip1837
to take it (or life) on the chin1928
to hang in1969
the mind > emotion > courage > moral courage > stoicism > [noun]
stoicism1630
grit1825
pecker1845
sand1867
stiff-upper-lippery1961
stiffupperlippishness1973
1798 G. Colman Heir at Law iii. ii. 41 The last lord Duberly's father..with a wig as wide as a wash-tub, and stuck up as stiff as a poker.
1800 E. Hervey Mourtray Family II. 251 Lady Elizabeth, as stiff as a poker, sat with her mouth pursed up, vexed to death.
1815 Massachusetts Spy 14 June I kept a stiff upper lip, and bought [a] license to sell my goods.
1837 T. C. Haliburton Clockmaker 1st Ser. (ed. 2) x. 77 Its a proper pity sich a clever woman should carry such a stiff upper lip.
1852 H. B. Stowe Uncle Tom's Cabin I. x. 152 ‘Well, good-by, Uncle Tom; keep a stiff upper lip,’ said George.
1876 E. W. Heap Diary 22 Mar. in Publ. Amer. Dial. Soc. (1969) lii. 55 Frozen as stiff as a poker last night.
1887 Spectator 17 Sept. 1241 The Financial Secretary, who, it is supposed, will have a stiff upper lip and tightly buttoned pockets.
1894 G. Du Maurier Trilby v. 275 Each walked off..stiff as pokers.
1897 ‘A. Hope’ Phroso (1905) iv. 75 ‘Are you going to let him off?’ demanded Denny, suspiciously. ‘You never can be stiff in the back, Charley.’
1934 J. Buchan Free Fishers xviii. 297 Old Utterson is as stiff as a poker, and would keep us arguing till midnight.
b. In predicative use (cf. rigid adj. 1c): to an extreme degree, as to bore (scare, etc.) stiff.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > quantity > greatness of quantity, amount, or degree > high or intense degree > [adjective] > very great or extreme
strangec1380
overpassinga1382
passinga1387
most?c1430
extremec1460
horriblea1464
violenta1500
mainc1540
immortal?c1550
exquisite1552
sore1555
three-piled1598
thundering1618
devilish1639
shrewda1643
deadly1660
woundy1681
vast1696
monstrous1711
mortal1716
terrific1743
hell-fired1754
hellish1764
colossal1794
severe1805
awful1818
all-fired1829
terrible1829
quare and1847
ferocious1877
pluperfect1889
raging1889
giddy1896
utter1898
stiff1905
1905 McClure's Mag. May 100/1 He was scared stiff to hear that Morrow was in town.
1918 W. J. Locke Rough Road ix. 107 I think I ought to tell you that you're boring Durdlebury stiff.
1923 R. D. Paine Comrades Rolling Ocean ix. 150 When that crazy fireman broke loose just now, I was scared perfectly stiff.
1928 F. B. Young My Brother Jonathan ii. v. 284 She bores everybody she meets stiff with talking about him.
1933 G. Heyer Why shoot Butler? iii. 47 Anyone can have the super motor boat as far as I'm concerned. Joan, too. She bars it completely, which feeds Brother Basil stiff.
1952 A. Baron With Hope, Farewell 124 It was only a front. He was scared stiff.
1956 English Summer 46 Billy Temple, who announced in Westminster School Hall that ‘the longer poems of Milton bored him stiff’.
1964 I. Murdoch Italian Girl xii. 137 I was scared absolutely stiff of Otto finding out.
12. Mathematics. Of a differential equation: having a solution that shows completely different behaviour over widely different scales of time (or other independent variable).
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > number > algebra > [adjective] > relating to expressions > relating to equations
algebraic1657
lateral1670
explicable1706
unreduced1762
homogeneous1815
resolvent1860
Pellian1862
equational1864
canonizant1879
variational1879
unilateral1884
non-dimensional1904
open1937
inhomogeneous1943
stiff1952
1952 Curtiss & Hirschfelder in Proc. National Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 38 235 In the study of chemical kinetics, electrical circuit theory, and problems of missile guidance a type of differential equation arises which is exceedingly difficult to solve by ordinary numerical procedures. A very satisfactory method of solution of these equations is obtained by making use of a forward interpolation process... The differential equations to which this method applies are called ‘stiff’.
1973 Physics Bull. June 340/2 ‘Stiff’ differential equation problems also have been the principal reason for combined analogue-digital (hybrid computer) simulation.
1979 Nature 18 Jan. 201/2 It would be interesting to extend the present work to the case of Bianchi-type models filled with a perfect fluid of equation of state: p = (γ—1)ρ, which covers Zel'dovich's stiff equation of state.
II. Strong.† 14. † b. Of a weapon: Hard, stout, formidable. Obsolete.† 16. Of voice, sound: Powerful, loud. Obsolete.
13. † b. Of a drinker: ‘Hard’. Obsolete.
a. Of living creatures: Stout, stalwart, sturdy (cf. sense A. 8); esp. in alliterative phrases as †stiff in stour, †stiff on steed. Obsolete exc. dialect (see Eng. Dial. Dict.)
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > [adjective] > of health: good > resistant to disease, etc.
strongeOE
stalworthc1175
starka1250
stiff1297
stalworthyc1300
vigorousc1330
stoura1350
lustyc1374
marrowya1382
sturdyc1386
crank1398
robust1490
vigorious1502
stalwart1508
hardy1548
robustious1548
of force1577
rustical1583
marrowed1612
rustic1620
robustic1652
solid1741
refractory1843
salted1864
resistant1876
saulteda1879
the world > life > the body > bodily constitution > bodily strength > [adjective] > robust
strongeOE
hardOE
stalworthc1175
starka1250
stiff1297
steel to the (very) backa1300
stalworthyc1300
wightc1300
stable13..
valiant1303
stithc1325
toughc1330
wrast1338
stoura1350
sadc1384
wighty14..
derfc1440
substantialc1460
well-jointed1483
felon1487
robust1490
stalwart1508
stoutya1529
robustous?1531
rankc1540
hardy1548
robustious1548
stout1576
rustical1583
rustic1620
iron1638
robustic1652
swankinga1704
strapping1707
rugged1731
solid1741
vaudy1793
flaithulach1829
ironbark1833
swankie1838
tough as (old) boots or leather1843
skookum1847
hard (also tough, sharp) as nails1862
hard-assed1954
nails1974
1297 R. Gloucester's Chron. (Rolls) 7732 So stif mon he was in armes, in ssoldren, & in leade, Þat vnneþe enimon miȝte is bowe bende.
a1300 Cursor Mundi 2203 Nembrot..O babilon king stijf in stur.
?a1366 Romaunt Rose 1270 The knyght was faire and styf in stour.
a1400 Sir Perc. 19 He was doughty of dede, A styffe body one a stede.
c1400 (?c1380) Cleanness l. 255 Þe styfest, þe stalworþest þat stod euer on fete.
a1500 (?a1400) Sir Torrent of Portyngale (1887) l. 1491 It were two dragons stiff and strong.
1544 P. Betham tr. J. di Porcia Preceptes Warre i. xxxiii. sig. C iv Kepe thyne armye in rough and mountayne places, to make theyr bodies styffe and stronge.
a1677 I. Barrow Wks. (1686) III. 188 But in stout proficients the heart becometh hard and stony, the neck stiff and brawny.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > drink > thirst > excess in drinking > [adjective]
bibbling1565
tippling1567
bousing1569
bibbing1594
stiff1594
upsy Dutch1612
bezzling1617
fuddling1654
potulent1656
toping1668
groggy1770
Bacchant1800
three-bottle1806
swilly1824
potatory1834
two-bottle1855
1594 J. Lyly Mother Bombie ii. i. sig. C4 We already are stiffe Drinkers.
1617 F. Moryson Itinerary iii. 27 The Sweitzers are for the most part Souldiers, and stiffe drinkers.
1635 T. Heywood Philocothonista 44 To title a drunkard by, wee..strive to character him in a more mincing and modest phrase, as thus: He is a good fellow Or, A boone companion,..A stiffe Blade.]
a. Of things inanimate: Strong; stoutly built; massive. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > extension in space > measurable spatial extent > largeness > [adjective] > of large volume or bulky > and solid
greateOE
stour?a1300
fata1325
mightyc1375
sternc1394
stiffc1400
massivec1425
mastiff1495
gross1516
massy1548
robustious1548
mountainousa1616
monumental1632
mountain1633
lusty1640
beamy1697
material1736
Himalayan1878
wodgy1907
monolith1922
c1400 Laud Troy Bk. 2899 Ther stode a Castel a litel ther-by, Gret, and stiff, and ful strong.
c1440 York Myst. xxix. 268 Our stiffe tempill, þat made is of stone.
c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 1527 The styfe towne to Restore..[Priam] Gate masons full mony.
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > military equipment > weapon > [adjective] > quality of, generally
starkOE
stiffc1250
sterna1400
vengeablec1400
unwieldya1547
vengefula1586
mistempered1597
maiden1598
lathen1843
humane1970
c1250 Owl & Night. 78 Þi bile is stif & sarp & hoked.
a1400 K. Alis. (Laud) 2740 He groep on honde a styff spere.
1488 (c1478) Hary Actis & Deidis Schir William Wallace (Adv.) (1968–9) x. l. 955 With a styff suerd to dede he has him dycht.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Coriolanus (1623) i. i. 159 Make you ready your stiffe bats and clubs. View more context for this quotation
15. Of natural agencies:in figurative context.1399 W. Langland Richard Redeles iii. 104 Many a styff storme with-stode ffor þe comunes.1663 S. Patrick Parable of Pilgrim i. 4 The gale proves so stiff, that our hearts are swelled therewith.† b. Of a river: Flowing strongly. Obsolete.† c. Of news: Formidable, grave. Obsolete.
a. Strong, violent (of wind); also applied to a steady wind of moderate force.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the earth > weather and the atmosphere > weather > wind > [adjective] > strong
strongeOE
stiffc1290
sternc1374
wrothc1400
vehement1483
strainable1497
freshc1515
stout1533
bloysterous?1570
ruffing1577
boisterous?1594
lofty1600
chafing1762
blustery1774
smacking1820
snoring1822
spanking1849
gale force1902
c1290 Brendan 464 in S. Eng. Leg. 232 Þe wynd was boþe strong and stif.
1340–70 Alex. & Dind. 487 Stiue stormus of þe wind stiren vp þe wawus.
c1425 Noah's Ark in N. Davis Non-Cycle Plays & Fragm. (1970) 19 All mankind dead shall be With storms both stiff and steer.
1589 A. Jenkinson in R. Hakluyt Princ. Navigations ii. 366 The winde being contrary, and a stiffe gale.
1623 W. Shakespeare & J. Fletcher Henry VIII iv. i. 74 Such a noyse arose, As the shrowdes make at Sea, in a stiffe Tempest. View more context for this quotation
1665 G. Havers tr. P. della Valle Trav. E. India 2 We again spread our sails freely to the wind, which was pretty stiff.
1725 E. Fenton in A. Pope et al. tr. Homer Odyssey I. iv. 483 When the stiffer gales Rise on the poop, and fully stretch the sails.
1846 A. Young Naut. Dict. 130 A fresh breeze, implies a wind in which a vessel may safely carry all her canvass; a stiff breeze, implies one somewhat stronger than this, but not so violent as a gale.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the earth > water > rivers and streams > action of river > [adjective] > flowing rapidly or violently
stiff?a1366
sternc1374
throc1380
despitousa1450
stith1487
pouring1577
stickle1587
testy1610
sharp1655
unruly1697
?a1366 Romaunt Rose 115 From an hill..Cam doun the streme ful stif and bold.
a1400 K. Alis. (Laud) 3482 Þe water was wel styf & colde.
a1400–50 Wars Alex. 2589 Þai saȝe þe streme so stife, it stonaid þam all.
c1400 (?c1380) Patience l. 234 Styffe stremes & streȝt hem strayned a whyle.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > fear > quality of inspiring fear > quality of terribleness > [adjective] > of news
stiffa1616
a1616 W. Shakespeare Antony & Cleopatra (1623) i. ii. 93 Labienus (this is stiffe-newes) Hath with his Parthian Force Extended Asia. View more context for this quotation
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > hearing and noise > degree, kind, or quality of sound > loudness > [adjective]
loud971
stithc1000
strongOE
greata1375
stiff1377
wrastc1400
boistousc1430
stourc1440
big1549
routing1567
thundering?1576
full-mouthed1594
thunderous1606
tonitruous1606
thundery1608
trump-like1609
full-mouth1624
voluminousa1635
rousing1640
altisonous1661
lusty1672
tonitrual1693
rending1719
trumpet-like1814
foudroyant1840
clarion1842
trumpeting1850
trumpet-toned1851
loudish1860
tonitruant1861
tonant1891
thunderful1898
high1923
wham-bam1960
the world > physical sensation > hearing and noise > voice or vocal sound > quality of voice > [adjective] > loud or resonant
loud971
highlyOE
stithc1000
strongOE
steepc1275
stiff1377
strengthfula1382
gross1398
stentorious15..
open-mouthed?1533
wildc1550
preclare?1553
strainable1569
trolling1581
main1582
wide-mouthed1589
full-mouthed1594
wide-mouth?c1599
stentorian1606
trump-like1609
stentorophonic1678
strenuous1680
open-mouth1702
stentorial1754
stentoronic1762
full-throated1820
trumpety1822
Stentor1837
1377 W. Langland Piers Plowman B. xv. 584 [Christ] With styf voys hym called, Lazare, veni foras.
a1400–50 Wars Alex. 611 His steuyn stiffe was & steryn þat stonayd many.
c1405 (c1387–95) G. Chaucer Canterbury Tales Prol. (Hengwrt) (2003) l. 673 This Somonor baar to hym a styf burdoun Was neuere trompe of half so greet a soun.
17. In modern use, of liquors (mainly spirits): Strong, potent. Also of tea and loosely, denoting a generous measure.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > drink > intoxicating liquor > types or qualities of intoxicating liquor > [adjective] > strong
strongeOE
stalec1300
mainc1400
nappyc1460
starkc1485
nase?1536
huff-cap1599
nippitatum1600
intoxicating1604
inebriating1610
distempering1613–18
inebriative1615
toxing1635
hogen mogen1653
napping1654
humming1675
hard1700
inebriousa1704
ebrietating1711
bead-proof1753
steeve1801
high-proof1810
pithy1812
stiff1813
inebriant1828
reverent1837
a little more north1864
ebriating1872
rorty1950
the world > food and drink > drink > intoxicating liquor > [adjective] > large or generous
long1788
stiff1883
the world > food and drink > drink > tea > [adjective] > qualities of tea
milkless1816
slushy1839
miserable1842
overdrawn1847
raw1881
mealy1892
stewy1895
tannined1898
potty1901
stiff1904
stewed1908
metallic1909
1813 Sporting Mag. 42 131 Mr. Jenkins..to the last ‘belted’ his three bottles of stiff port after dinner.
1842 Ld. Tennyson Will Waterproof's Monologue in Poems (new ed.) II. 186 But though the port surpasses praise, My nerves have dealt with stiffer.
1883 R. L. Stevenson Treasure Island iv. xix. 155 Each had a good stiff glass of brandy grog.
1904 H. James Golden Bowl I. xviii. 212 You must awfully want your tea..so let me give you a good stiff cup.
1919 P. G. Wodehouse Their Mutual Child ii. xi. 242 Mr. Penway's eyes..fell upon the bottle of Bourbon... He sprang at it and poured himself a stiff dose.
1929 T. Wolfe Look homeward, Angel xxxv. 522 A stiff drink of gin.
1951 ‘J. Wyndham’ Day of Triffids i. 21 I was shaky again, and..could have done with a stiff drink.
1970 G. F. Newman Sir, You Bastard vii. 192 I think you've earned a very stiff scotch.
1975 D. Lodge Changing Places ii. 67 ‘Wow,’ said the woman. ‘You mix a stiff drink.’
1977 K. O'Hara Ghost of Thomas Penry xv. 149 They went off and poured themselves a stiff one each.
III. Hard, difficult.
18. Of an ascent or descent: Steep so as to be difficult. In Hunting: Difficult (said of an obstacle or a tract of country presenting many obstacles).
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > aspects of travel > travel in specific course or direction > [adjective] > upwards > of an ascent or descent
stiff1704
the world > food and drink > hunting > hunting with hounds > [adjective] > of a fence
rasping1825
stiff1852
1704 tr. A. de Ovalle Of Kingdom of Chile in A. Churchill & J. Churchill Coll. Voy. III. 81/1 I have seen them run up the stiffest and streightest Hills.
1715 N. Dubois & G. Leoni tr. Palladio Architecture (1721) I. 54 The Roof would be too stiff [It. troppo ratta].
1817 Sporting Mag. 50 38 The ground gone over was through a stiff country.
1852 R. S. Surtees Mr. Sponge's Sporting Tour iv. xxiii. 124 His lordship charged a stiff flight of rails in the brick-fields.
1883 C. Howard Roads Eng. & Wales (ed. 3) 139 Easy going to Braunston,..into which there is a long stiff descent.
1897 M. Kingsley Trav. W. Afr. 571/1 Owing to the world being on a stiff slant here~abouts, it takes time to make it stand straight.
1903 M. A. Stein Sand-buried Ruins Khotan (1904) xiv. 224 The next day's climb proved a stiff one.
19. That requires considerable effort; severe; laborious, toilsome.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > manner of action > effort or exertion > [adjective]
hardOE
strenuous1671
rough1717
arduous1753
stiff1862
effortful1900
driven1967
1862 T. Carlyle Hist. Friedrich II of Prussia III. xiii. ii. 414 They are dreadfully stiff reading, those Despatches of Hyndford.
1865 C. Dickens Our Mutual Friend II. iv. i. 164 Your working days must be stiff 'uns, if these is your holidays.
1886 W. Stubbs 17 Lect. Study Hist. ii. 31 More modest men..passed a stiff examination in the History School.
1890 ‘R. Boldrewood’ Colonial Reformer xix He encouraged him to digest a certain daily quantity of ‘stiff’ or improving literature.
1898 Daily News 22 July What do you call a stiff pace on a level road?
20.
a. Of a price, charge, demand, etc.: Unusually high, excessive. Cf. sense A. 10.
ΘΚΠ
society > trade and finance > monetary value > price > high price or rate > [adjective]
high1542
strong1599
rank1604
exorbitant1670
extravagant1707
stiff1824
sky-high1829
steep1856
stratospherical1936
1824 T. F. Dibdin Library Compan. (1825) 730 (note) The Denham of 1709 brought the stiff sum of 1l. 1s...but the Donne..produced..the far stiffer price of 4l. 4s.
1886 R. L. Stevenson Strange Case Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde 8 The figure was stiff; but the signature was good for more than that, if it was only genuine.
1903 A. C. P. Haggard Sporting Yarns 225 He naturally thought 3s. an hour pretty stiff boat hire.
b. Finance. = tight adj. 10c. Now rare or Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
society > trade and finance > financial dealings > [adjective] > state or condition of money market
stiff1845
tight1846
stringent1870
1845 Punch 11 Oct. 164/2 Money's stiff they say.
1912 Q. Rev. July 103 Money is in such keen demand all the world over that the rates tend to become high, whereupon it is called ‘stiff’ or ‘tight’.
B. n.† 1. Some stiffened article of female attire. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > types or styles of clothing > [noun] > manufactured in specific way > other
stiff1680
reversible1853
Magyar1912
breathable1961
1680 Will of Frances Dobson in Bedfordsh. Notes & Queries (1889) II. 237 I give to my seruant..all my working day clothes of wollen or stuffe, and also 3 of my strongest stiffs and aprons.
2. slang.in combination.1823 ‘J. Bee’ Slang 166 Stiff-dealer, a dealer in stiff, a pseudo-merchant, or trader in moonshine paper.
a. Paper; a document, esp. a promissory note or bill of exchange; a clandestine letter.
ΘΚΠ
society > trade and finance > money > medium of exchange or currency > paper money > [noun] > a banknote
bank bill1682
bill1682
note1695
money bill1713
banknote1759
post-note1788
screen1789
stiff1823
flimsy1824
shin-plaster1824
billet1837
pennif1862
toadskin1867
currency note1891
dead president1944
society > trade and finance > money > medium of exchange or currency > paper money > promissory notes or bills of exchange > [noun] > a promissory note or bill of exchange
exchange1485
bill1579
bill1613
hundi1619
assignment1622
cambio1645
note1653
order1673
bank bill1682
banknote1695
assignation1704
promissory note1710
note of hand1728
stiff1823
time bill1842
PO1861
marker1887
society > communication > correspondence > letter > [noun] > clandestine letter
stiff1853
kite1859
society > authority > lack of subjection > permission > [noun] > document which permits or authorizes
placard1482
warranta1513
placket1571
placate1572
licence1598
permission1607
purwanah1619
permit1649
furlougha1658
legitimation1660
chitty1698
chop1699
cedula1724
ticket of leave1732
chit1757
stiff1892
1823 P. Egan Grose's Dict. Vulgar Tongue Giving a bill instead of money is denominated, in the mercantile world, taking ‘the stiff’.
1853 W. M. Thackeray Newcomes (1854) I. vi. 63 I wish you'd do me a bit of stiff.
1889 Pall Mall Gaz. 14 Feb. 4/3 The ‘stiff,’ as a note is called in convict parlance.
1892 M. Williams Round London i. vii. 98 A hawker's licence, which is known among the [London] brotherhood as a ‘stiff’.
1904 A. Griffiths Fifty Years Public Service 152 Other ‘stiffs’—the prison term for anonymous or clandestine letters—were scattered about.
b. Money.
ΘΚΠ
society > trade and finance > money > [noun]
silverc825
feec870
pennieseOE
wortheOE
mintOE
scata1122
spense?c1225
spendinga1290
sumc1300
gooda1325
moneya1325
cattlec1330
muckc1330
reasona1382
pecunyc1400
gilt1497
argentc1500
gelta1529
Mammon1539
ale silver1541
scruff1559
the sinews of war1560
sterling1565
lour1567
will-do-all1583
shell1591
trasha1592
quinyie1596
brass1597
pecuniary1604
dust1607
nomisma1614
countera1616
cross and pilea1625
gingerbreada1625
rhinoa1628
cash1646
grig1657
spanker1663
cole1673
goree1699
mopus1699
quid1699
ribbin1699
bustle1763
necessary1772
stuff1775
needfula1777
iron1785
(the) Spanish1788
pecuniar1793
kelter1807
dibs1812
steven1812
pewter1814
brad1819
pogue1819
rent1823
stumpy1828
posh1830
L. S. D.1835
rivetc1835
tin1836
mint sauce1839
nobbins1846
ochre1846
dingbat1848
dough1848
cheese1850
California1851
mali1851
ducat1853
pay dirt1853
boodle?1856
dinero1856
scad1856
the shiny1856
spondulicks1857
rust1858
soap1860
sugar1862
coin1874
filthy1876
wampum1876
ooftish1877
shekel1883
oil1885
oof1885
mon1888
Jack1890
sploshc1890
bees and honey1892
spending-brass1896
stiff1897
mazuma1900
mazoom1901
cabbage1903
lettuce1903
Oscar Asche1905
jingle1906
doubloons1908
kale1912
scratch1914
green1917
oscar1917
snow1925
poke1926
oodle1930
potatos1931
bread1935
moolah1936
acker1939
moo1941
lolly1943
loot1943
poppy1943
mazoola1944
dosh1953
bickies1966
lovely jubbly1990
scrilla1994
1897 ‘Ouida’ Massarenes i. 6 They are astonishing—biggest income in the United States... Made their ‘stiff’ there, and come home to spend it.
1930 H. Belloc New Cautionary Tales 58 He wrang his hands, exclaiming, ‘If I only had a bit of Stiff How different would be my life!’
3. slang.
a. A corpse (= stiff 'un at sense A. 2b).
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > the body > dead body > [noun]
lichc893
dust?a1000
holdc1000
bonesOE
stiff onea1200
bodyc1225
carrion?c1225
licham?c1225
worms' food or ware?c1225
corsec1250
ashc1275
corpsec1315
carcass1340
murraina1382
relicsa1398
ghostc1400
wormes warec1400
corpusc1440
scadc1440
reliefc1449
martc1480
cadaverc1500
mortc1500
tramort?a1513
hearse1530
bulk1575
offal1581
trunk1594
cadaverie1600
relicts1607
remains1610
mummya1616
relic1636
cold meat1788
mortality1827
death bone1834
deader1853
stiff1859
1859 J. R. Bartlett Dict. Americanisms (ed. 2) 450.
1871 Hay Myst. Gilgal 41 They piled the stiffs outside the door.
1915 Morning Post 7 Aug. 5/4 ‘This cigarette is all right’, I said. ‘Where do they come from?’ ‘Off that German stiff’, he answered.
b. A racehorse which is unikely to win; spec. one which is not intended to win. Cf. A. 2b. U.S. slang.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > racing or race > horse racing > [noun] > horse by performance
lightweight1773
sticker1779
maiden1807
favourite1813
mile-horse1829
outsider1836
heavyweight1857
stayer1862
stoner1862
rank outsider1869
pick1872
pot1874
timer1881
resurrectionist1883
short head1883
pea1888
cert1889
stiffa1890
wrong 'un1889
on the mark1890
place horse1890
top-weight1892
miler1894
also-ran1895
selection1901
loser1902
hotpot1904
roughie1908
co-favourite1922
readier1922
springer1922
fav1935
scratch1938
no-hoper1943
shoo-in1950
scorer1974
the world > animals > mammals > group Ungulata (hoofed) > family Equidae (general equines) > horse defined by purpose used for > [noun] > racehorse > outsider
outsider1836
caravanner1838
rank outsider1869
stiff one1871
stiffa1890
roughie1908
no-hoper1943
a1890 in Barrère & Leland Dict. Slang. (1890) II. 306/1 ‘What do they mean by a stiff in the race?’ ‘That means generally a horse that on public form should win the race, and that either the jockey, trainer, or horse has been ‘fixed’ so that he will not win.’
1935 D. Runyon Money from Home 197 There is also a rumor that Follow You is a stiff in the race.
1944 Sun (Baltimore) 21 Sept. 17/5 We either get shut out or find we are on a stiff which won't run.
4. slang.
a. A penniless man; a wastrel; a tramp; a migratory or unskilled worker.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > poverty > [noun] > poor person > very poor person
armeOE
goodlessa1350
pauper1516
bankrupt?1563
gnaw-bone1607
gnaw-crust1611
have-nothing1755
bone-grubber1817
bone-picker1825
lack-all1850
destitute1863
stiff1899
down and out1901
down-and-outer1906
society > occupation and work > worker > workers according to conditions > [noun] > itinerant labourer
roundsman1795
rounder1817
roundman1827
row-man1840
mud-dauber1866
stiff1899
migratory worker1915
migrant worker1923
society > travel > aspects of travel > travel from place to place > [noun] > without fixed aim or wandering > vagrancy or vagabondage > vagabond or tramp
harlot?c1225
raikera1400
vacabond1404
vagrant1444
gangrela1450
briber?c1475
palliard1484
vagabondc1485
rogue1489
wavenger1493
hermit1495
gaberlunzie1508
knight of the field1508
loiterer1530
straggler1530
runagate1534
ruffler1535
hedge-creeper1548
Abraham man1567
cursitor1567
runner1567
walker1567
tinker1575
traveller1598
Tartar1602
stravagant1606
wagand1614
Circumcellion1623
meechera1625
hedge-bird1631
gaberlunzie man1649
tramp1664
stroller1681
jockey1685
bird of passage1717
randy1724
tramper1760
stalko1804
vagabondager1813
rintherout1814
piker1838
pikey1838
beachcomber1840
roadster1851
vagabondizer1860
roustabout1862
bum1864
migratory1866
potter1867
sundowner1868
vag1868
walkabout1872
transient1877
Murrumbidgee whaler1878
rouster1882
run-the-hedge1882
whaler1883
shaughraun1884
heather-cat1886
hobo1889
tussocker1889
gay cat1893
overlander1898
stake-man1899
stiff1899
bindle-stiff1900
dingbat1902
stew-bum1902
tired Tim (also Timothy)1906
skipper1925
Strandlooper1927
knight of the road1928
hobohemian1936
plain turkey1955
scrub turkey1955
derro1963
jakey1988
crusty1990
1899 Daily Chron. 10 Aug. 5/7 ‘Stiffs,’ that is, men who work their passage by attending to cattle.
1901 J. London Let. 6 Dec. (1966) 126 Wyckoff only knows the workingman, the stake-man, and the bindle-stiff.
1909 Daily Mail 10 Aug. 4/5 England knows the tramp and the loafer,..but greater than these is the Johannesburg ‘stiff’.
1915 Truth 20 Jan. 90/2 A hopeless shortage of the best labour on the one hand, and an unusual proportion of ‘stiffs’ on the other.
1927 W. Edge Main Stem iii. 16 No stiff ever got information about a job through a telephone directory.
1963 H. Garner in R. Weaver Canad. Short Stories (1968) 2nd Ser. 41 Who would listen to a harvest stiff in the middle of the tobacco country?
1976 E. Ward Hanged Man iii. 13 The driver..reached out to pull Burnett into the dusty cab. Construction stiff. A wandering freemasonry.
b. A mean, disagreeable, or contemptible person (frequently big stiff). Also jocularly and loosely, a man, a fellow; working stiff, an ordinary working man. slang (originally U.S.).
ΘΚΠ
the world > people > person > man > [noun]
churla800
werec900
rinkeOE
wapmanc950
heOE
wyeOE
gomeOE
ledeOE
seggeOE
shalkOE
manOE
carmanlOE
mother bairnc1225
hemea1250
mother sona1250
hind1297
buck1303
mister mana1325
piecec1325
groomc1330
man of mouldc1330
hathela1350
sire1362
malea1382
fellowa1393
guestc1394
sergeant?a1400
tailarda1400
tulka1400
harlotc1405
mother's sona1470
frekea1475
her1488
masculinea1500
gentlemana1513
horse?a1513
mutton?a1513
merchant1549
child1551
dick1553
sorrya1555
knavea1556
dandiprat1556
cove1567
rat1571
manling1573
bird1575
stone-horse1580
loona1586
shaver1592
slave1592
copemate1593
tit1594
dog1597
hima1599
prick1598
dingle-dangle1605
jade1608
dildoa1616
Roger1631
Johnny1648
boy1651
cod1653
cully1676
son of a bitch1697
cull1698
feller1699
chap1704
buff1708
son of a gun1708
buffer1749
codger1750
Mr1753
he-man1758
fella1778
gilla1790
gloak1795
joker1811
gory1819
covey1821
chappie1822
Charley1825
hombre1832
brother-man1839
rooster1840
blokie1841
hoss1843
Joe1846
guy1847
plug1848
chal1851
rye1851
omee1859
bloke1861
guffin1862
gadgie1865
mug1865
kerel1873
stiff1882
snoozer1884
geezer1885
josser1886
dude1895
gazabo1896
jasper1896
prairie dog1897
sport1897
crow-eater1899
papa1903
gink1906
stud1909
scout1912
head1913
beezer1914
jeff1917
pisser1918
bimbo1919
bozo1920
gee1921
mush1936
rye mush1936
basher1942
okie1943
mugger1945
cat1946
ou1949
tess1952
oke1970
bra1974
muzhik1993
the mind > goodness and badness > inferiority or baseness > inferior person > [noun] > held in contempt
thingOE
cat?c1225
geggea1300
fox-whelpc1320
creaturea1325
whelp1338
scoutc1380
turnbroach14..
foumart1508
shit1508
get?a1513
strummel?a1513
scofting?1518
pismirea1535
clinchpoop1555
rag1566
huddle and twang1578
whipster1590
slop1599
shullocka1603
tailor1607
turnspit1607
fitchewa1616
bulchin1617
trundle-taila1626
tick1631
louse1633
fart1669
insect1684
mully-grub-gurgeon1746
grub-worm1752
rass1790
foutre1794
blister1806
snot1809
skin1825
scurf1851
scut1873
Siwash1882
stiff1882
bleeder1887
blighter1896
sugar1916
vuilgoed1924
klunk1942
fart sack1943
fart-arse1946
jerkwad1980
society > occupation and work > worker > workers according to type of work > manual or industrial worker > [noun]
working manOE
workperson1807
workie1837
worker1848
blouse1865
yardie1893
working stiff1930
the mind > possession > retaining > niggardliness or meanness > [noun] > niggard or mean person
nithinga1225
chinch?a1300
nigc1300
chincher1333
shut-purse1340
niggardc1384
haynec1386
nigona1400
pinchera1425
pinchpenny?c1425
pynepenya1450
pelt1511
chincherda1529
churl1535
pinchbeck1538
carl?1542
penny-father1549
nipfarthing1566
nipper?1573
holdfast1576
pinchpence1577
pinch fistc1580
pinchfart1592
shit-sticks1598
clunchfist1606
puckfist1606
sharp-nose1611
spare-good1611
crib1622
hog grubber?1626
dry-fist1633
clusterfist1652
niggardling1654
frummer1659
scrat1699
sting-hum1699
nipcheese1785
pincha1825
screw1825
wire-drawer1828
close-fist1861
penny-pincher1875
nip-skin1876
parer1887
pinch-plum1892
cheapskate1899
meanie1902
tightwad1906
stinge1914
penny-peeler1925
mean1938
stiff1967
1882 in Colorado Quarterly (1956) Winter 271 Cap. Cline, that lonely old stiff..is now demonotized.
1896 G. Ade Artie ii. 17 There I set like a big stiff for five hours.
1896 G. Ade Artie iv. 36 I do n't come in here to give coin to no such stiffs as you.
1911 R. D. Saunders Col. Todhunter ix. 138 Dere won't be enough left of youse in a minit for your frien's to bury, you damned stiff!
1914 R. Lardner in Sat. Evening Post 15 Aug. 9/3 ‘Good night, Horseshoes!’ he says. That got my nanny up this time. ‘Shut up, you lucky stiff!’ I says.
1925 C. Connolly Let. 28 Feb. in Romantic Friendship (1975) 61 He was described..as ‘rather a stiff’ which is true at present.
1930 Punch 26 Feb. 228/2 He said ‘You big stiff!’ in a very loud voice and went.
1930 J. Dos Passos 42nd Parallel v. 403 Charley said that working stiffs ought to stick together for decent living conditions.
1936 P. G. Wodehouse Laughing Gas viii. 82 He had told me this man was a pretty good sort of old stiff.
1949 Daily Ardmoreite (Ardmore, Okla.) 23 Feb. 18/6 A select group of working stiffs in high government circles have run into 20 assorted kinds of complications.
1951 E. Paul Springtime in Paris (U.K. ed.) vii. 139 Hold your trap, you old stiff.
1967 Sun 23 Apr. 5/8 A bad customer..a stiff who orders the table d'hôte and nothing to drink.
1975 N.Y. Times 8 Jan. 35/1 And if a black man did buy a house, hey, we knocked on his door and said hello. If he was a nice guy, great. If he was a stiff, well, I know lots of white stiffs, too.
1977 Guardian Weekly 10 July 15/2 The idea of two young working stiffs [sc. Woodward and Bernstein] carrying off the prize is irresistible to youngsters with their careers before them.
c. A drunkard (see also quot. 1969). Cf. A. 2e.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > drink > thirst > excess in drinking > [noun] > one who drinks to excess
houndOE
drinkerc1200
keach-cup?c1225
gulchcupa1250
bollerc1320
taverner1340
ale stake?1515
wine-bibber1535
bibber1536
swill-bowl1542
malt-wormc1550
rinse-pitcher1552
bibblera1556
ale knight1556
tosspot1568
ring-pigger1570
troll-the-bowl1575
malt-bug1577
gossip-pint-pot1580
black pot1582
alehouse knight1583
worrier1584
suck-spigot1585
bezzle1592
bezzlera1593
cup-leech1593
soaker1593
carouser1596
barley-cap1598
swiller1598
rob-pot1599
Philistine1600
sponge1600
wine-knight1601
fill-knaga1605
reel-pot1604
faithful1609
fill-pot1609
bouser1611
spigot-sucker1611
suck-pint1611
whip-can1611
bib-all-night1612
afternoon man1615
potling1616
Bacchanalian1617
bombard1617
pot-shot1617
potisuge1620
trougha1625
tumbrila1625
borachioa1627
pot-leech1630
kill-pota1637
biberon1637
bang-pitcher1639
son of Bacchusc1640
shuffler1642
suck-bottlea1652
swill-pot1653
poter1657
potatora1660
old soaker1665
fuddle cap1666
old toast1668
bubber1669
toper1673
ale-toast1691
Bacchant1699
fuddler1699
swill-belly1699
tickle-pitcher1699
whetter1709
draughtsmanc1720
bender1728
drammer1740
dram-drinker1744
drammist1756
rum-bud1805
siper1805
Bacchanal1812
boozera1819
rum-sucker1819
soak1820
imp of the spigot1821
polyposist1821
wineskin1821
sack-guzzler1823
sitfast1828
swill-flagon1829
cup-man1834
swiper1836
Lushington1851
lushing-man1859
bloat1860
pottle pot1860
tipsificator1873
tipsifier1873
pegger1874
swizzler1876
bibulant1883
toss-cup1883
lusher1895
stew-bum1902
shicker1906
stiff1907
souse1915
booze-hound1926
stumblebum1932
tanker1932
lush-hound1935
lushy1944
lush-head1945
binge drinker1946
pisshead1946
hophead1948
1907 J. London Road 170 Robbing a drunken man they call ‘rolling a stiff’.
1969 Telegraph (Brisbane) 3 Oct. 42/1 We get all types of no-hopers here—hoboes, bums, ‘alcos’, homosexuals and ‘stiffs’ (methylated spirits drinkers).
1976 N. Thornburg Cutter & Bone vi. 135 It had taken a good part of the day just to locate the poor stiff.
d. Football. A member of a reserve team. Frequently in plural. slang.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > ball game > football > [noun] > player > member of reserve team
stiff1950
1950 Sport 22 Sept. 4/1 On Saturday the Forest ‘stiffs’ romped home to a 5–1 victory over Halifax.
1967 M. Procter Rogue Running xxv. 164 He became one of the ‘stiffs’, a second-team man who only played for the first team when a better man was ill, or injured.
1970 Sun 5 Sept. 28/6 (heading) Gunners sign Metchick for stiffs.
C. adv.
Stiffly, firmly, tightly, hard, etc. Phrase, to give it to someone (pretty) stiff: to speak severely to, to rate.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > manner of action > vigour or energy > [adverb]
hardlyeOE
strongeOE
hardOE
fastOE
starklyOE
stalworthlyc1175
starkc1225
mainlyc1300
fellc1330
snellc1330
stout1338
wightlya1340
sadlya1375
sharplyc1380
tough1398
stoutly1399
throa1400
wighta1400
lustilyc1400
sorec1400
vigourslyc1400
stiff1422
vigoriouslya1450
vigorouslya1450
actuallya1470
stourlyc1480
forcely?a1500
lustly1529
fricklyc1540
dingilya1555
livelily?1565
crankly1566
forcibly1578
crank1579
wightily?a1600
proudly1600
energetically1609
stiffly1623
ding-dong1628
greenly1633
hard and fast1646
slashingly1659
thwackingly1660
warmlya1684
robustly1709
sonsily1729
forcefullya1774
vim1843
zippily1924
vibrantly1926
punchily1934
zingily1951
the world > relative properties > wholeness > mutual relation of parts to whole > fastening > condition of being fast bound or firmly fixed > [adverb]
fasteOE
fastlyeOE
hardOE
hetefastea1225
file-fasta1250
sickerlyc1275
stiff1525
tighta1625
soundly1632
starkly1819
tightlya1865
bracingly1874
the world > space > extension in space > measurable spatial extent > [adverb] > be of proper size or shape
fastOE
stiff1680
tightish1767
the mind > attention and judgement > contempt > disapproval > rebuke or reproof > rebuke or reprove [verb (transitive)] > severely
dressc1405
wipe1523
to take up1530
whip1530
to shake upa1556
trounce1607
castigatea1616
lasha1616
objurgate1616
thunderstrike1638
snub1672
drape1683
cut1737
rowa1798
score1812
to dress down1823
to pitch into ——1823
wig1829
to row (a person) up1838
to catch or get Jesse1839
slate1840
drop1853
to drop (down) to or on (to)1859
to give (a person) rats1862
to jump upon1868
to give (a person) fits1871
to give it to someone (pretty) stiff1880
lambaste1886
ruck1899
bollock1901
bawl1903
scrub1911
burn1914
to hang, draw, and quarter1930
to tear a strip off1940
to tear (someone) off a strip1940
brass1943
rocket1948
bitch1952
tee1955
fan-
1422 J. Yonge tr. Secreta Secret. 174 The course of the ryuer So stronge and So styfe rane.
c1450 Pol. Rel. & L. Poems (1903) 133 Þe werlde, my flesch, þe fende, felly þai me besale both strange & styfe.
1525 tr. H. von Brunschwig Noble Experyence Vertuous Handy Warke Surg. lxxiii. P iij b Take hede that ye bynde hym not to styfe.
1680 J. Moxon Mech. Exercises I. x. 182 This piece of wood is fitted stiff into a square Hole.
1712 J. James tr. A.-J. Dézallier d'Argenville Theory & Pract. Gardening 81 [This] makes the Joint go stiffer, or slacker, at Pleasure.
1880 J. Payn Confidential Agent xliii Giving it to her..pretty stiff.
Compounds
Compounds of the adjective. C1.
stiff-bit n.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > farming > animal husbandry > keeping or management of horses > horse-gear > [noun] > bit
kevela1300
barnaclea1382
bitc1385
molanc1400
bridle bit1438
snafflea1533
titup1537
bastonet?1561
cannon?1561
scatch1565
cannon bit1574
snaffle-bit1576
port mouth1589
watering snaffle1593
bell-bit1607
campanel1607
olive1607
pear-bit1607
olive-bit1611
port bit1662
neck-snaffle1686
curb-bit1688
masticador1717
Pelham1742
bridoon1744
slabbering-bit1753
hard and sharp1787
Weymouth1792
bridoon-bit1795
mameluke bit1826
Chiffney-bit1834
training bit1840
ring snaffle1850
gag-snaffle1856
segundo1860
half-moon bit1875
stiff-bit1875
twisted mouth1875
thorn-bit1886
Scamperdale1934
bit-mouth-
1875 E. H. Knight Pract. Dict. Mech. Stiff-bit, a bit without a joint, like a snaffle; or branches, like a curb-bit.
stiff field n. (see quots.).
ΚΠ
1910 Hawkins' Electr. Dict. Stiff Field, a term sometimes applied to an intense electromagnetic field.
stiff sea-adder n. a provincial name of the fish Nerophis ophidion.
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > fish > superorder Acanthopterygii (spiny fins) > order Perciformes (perches) > order Gasterosteiformes (sticklebacks) > [noun] > family Syngnathidae (pipe-fish) > nerophis ophidion
stiff sea-adder1880
1880–4 F. Day Fishes Great Brit. & Ireland II. 263 Stiff sea-adder.
a. Collocations forming phrases used attributively, as stiff-arm, stiff-brim, stiff-clay, stiff-land, stiff-leg, stiff-mud, stiff-plate.
ΚΠ
1779 W. Marshall Exper. & Observ. conc. Agric. & Weather 24 I will not manure a stiff-land Meadow in winter.
1884 C. T. Davis Pract. Treat. Manuf. Bricks (1889) 184 Stiff-clay bricks, or stiff-mud bricks as they are generally termed.
1896 ‘M. Twain’ in Harper's Mag. Aug. 356/1 It was the first season anybody wore that kind—a black stiff-brim stove-pipe.
1899 Westm. Gaz. 7 Mar. 11/1 The boiler in English locomotives is invariably carried on a stiff-plate frame.
1909 Westm. Gaz. 25 Aug. 4/2 It..is a sort of stiff-arm punch which returns the ball very close to the net.
1930 Engineering 10 Oct. 449/2 The material—sand and gravel—was..unloaded by means of a stiff-leg derrick.
1932 W. Faulkner Light in August ii. 27 He wore a tie and a stiffbrim straw hat that was quite new.
1943 Sun (Baltimore) 26 Nov. 6/3 The tower was first welded together on the ground. It was then lifted into its foundation by heavy lines attached to two high especially built ‘stiff-leg’ cranes.
b. † stiffgut n. Obsolete a glutton.† stiffrump n. slang Obsolete an obstinate or haughty person.† stiff-stander n. Obsolete one who makes an obstinate stand (for).
stiff-arm v. (transitive) (occasionallyabsol.) to fend off or push with a stiff arm; hence figurative, to rebuff or reject; also as n. usually attributive) in Rugby and U.S. Football, the act of tackling or fending off a tackle with a stiff arm.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > statement > refusal > [verb (transitive)] > rebuff
rebut1488
reject1529
counterbuff1579
rebuffa1586
repel1593
slighta1616
to blow off1631
squab1812
respue1818
snout1916
stiff-arm1927
to knock back1930
to brush off1941
the world > movement > impelling or driving > pushing and pulling > push and pull [verb (transitive)] > push > aside > with a stiff arm
stiff-arm1927
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > ball game > football > rugby football > [noun] > actions or manoeuvres
scrimmaging1776
throw on1845
rush1857
catch1858
maul1860
touch1863
mauling1864
touch-in-goal1869
goal-kicking1871
throw-forward1871
sidestepping1877
handing1882
punting1882
heel1886
touch kicking1889
forward pass1890
scrumming1892
touch-finding1895
heeling1896
wheel1897
scrag1903
reverse pass1907
jinka1914
hand-off1916
play-the-ball1918
gather1921
pivot pass1922
sidestep1927
smother-tackle1927
stiff-arm1927
heel-back1929
scissors1948
rucking1949
loose scrummaging1952
cut-through1960
pivot break1960
put-in1962
chip kicking1963
box kicking1971
peel1973
chip and chase1976
tap penalty1976
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > ball game > football > rugby football > play rugby football [verb (transitive)] > actions to player
maul1856
tackle1884
to hand off1886
screw1887
sidestep1911
smother1920
stiff-arm1927
sprig1939
spear tackle1969
card1986
yellow card2011
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > ball game > football > American football > [noun] > actions or manoeuvres
rush1857
punt-out1861
goal-kicking1871
safety1879
safety touchdown1879
scrimmage1880
rushing1882
safety touch1884
touchback1884
forward pass1890
run1890
blocking1891
signal1891
fake1893
onside kick1895
tandem-play1895
pass play1896
spiral1896
shift1901
end run1902
straight-arm1903
quarterback sneak1904
runback1905
roughing1906
Minnesota shift1910
quarterbacking1910
snap-back1910
pickoff1912
punt return1914
screen forward pass1915
screen pass1920
power play1921
sneak1921
passback1922
snap1922
defence1923
reverse1924
carry1927
lateral1927
stiff-arm1927
zone1927
zone defence1927
submarine charge1928
squib1929
block1931
pass rushing1933
safetying1933
trap play1933
end-around1934
straight-arming1934
trap1935
mousetrap1936
buttonhook1938
blitzing1940
hand-off1940
pitchout1946
slant1947
strike1947
draw play1948
shovel pass1948
bootleg1949
option1950
red dog1950
red-dogging1951
rollout1951
submarine1952
sleeper pass1954
draw1956
bomb1960
swing pass1960
pass rush1962
blitz1963
spearing1964
onsides kick1965
takeaway1967
quarterback sack1968
smash-mouth1968
veer1968
turn-over1969
bump-and-run1970
scramble1971
sack1972
nose tackle1975
nickel1979
pressure1981
1927 G. S. Lowman Pract. Football vii. 85 In all stiff arm and shifting have the body slightly inclined toward the tackler.
1927 G. S. Lowman Pract. Football xii. 218 When playing in the line, the defensive center should stiff-arm his opponent back into the play.
1934 Crisler & Wieman Pract. Football vii. 86 The ball carrier is more easily stopped in the hole than anywhere else, since he cannot dodge, sidestep, reverse or stiff-arm at that point.
1945 Tee Emm (Air Ministry) 5 50 Ward off attack by kicking or stiffarming the shark... Kick or stiff-arm a shark to push him away.
1950 Sport 24 Mar. 9/1 Vindictive hacking and ‘stiff arm’ jabs were the rule rather than the exception.
1968 Listener 8 Aug. 189/2 There had been the fury of the British backs meeting persistent stiff-arm and late tackling, although these almost automatic fouls were only occasionally penalised.
1973 R. Stout Please pass Guilt (1974) xi. 109 On the phone you stiff-armed me. You put me in my place.
1974 A. A. Thompson Swiss Legacy xviii. 185 She tried to slam the door, but McAllister stiff-armed it violently against the wall.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > food > consumption of food or drink > appetite > excessive consumption of food or drink > [noun] > gluttony > glutton
glutton?c1225
glutc1394
globberc1400
glofferc1440
gluttoner1482
gourmanda1492
ravener1496
belly1526
golofer1529
lurcher1530
cormorant1531
flesh-fly1532
full-belly1536
belly-godc1540
flap-sauce1540
gourmander1542
gully-gut1542
locust1545
glosser1549
greedy-guts1550
hungry gut1552
belly-slave1562
fill-belly1563
grand paunch1569
belly-paunch1570
belly-swainc1571
trencher-slave1571
slapsauce1573
gorche1577
helluo1583
gormandizer1589
eat-all1598
engorger1598
guts1598
guller1604
gourmandist1607
barathrum1609
eatnell1611
snapsauce1611
Phaeacian?1614
gutling1617
overeater1621
polyphage1623
tenterbelly1628
gut-head1629
stiffgut1630
gobble-guts1632
gulist1632
polyphagian1658
fill-paunch1659
gype1662
gulchin1671
stretch-gut1673
gastrolater1694
gundy-gut1699
guttler1732
gobbler1755
trencher-hero1792
gorger1817
polyphagist1819
battenera1849
stuff-guts1875
chowhound1917
gannet1929
Billy Bunter1939
guzzle-guts1959
garbage can1963
foodaholic1965
1630 J. Taylor Great Eater of Kent Ded. 2 Though you are the absolutest man of mouth and the most renowned stifgut in this westerne angle of the world, yet we haue as great or greater eaters then your selfe.
stiff-leaf n. Architecture the term applied to the foliage of conventional form, with stiff leaf-stems, characteristic as a decoration in the Early English style.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > visual arts > architecture > architectural ornament > [noun] > foliage
crop1480
festoon1652
foliation1815
stiff-leaf1851
1851 T. H. Turner Some Acct. Domest. Archit. I. ii. 39 The shafts in the jambs have round capitals with foliage approaching to what is technically called stiff-leaf.
stiff-neck n. an obstinate, haughty or self-righteous person; cf. stiff-necked adj.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > pride > haughtiness or disdainfulness > [noun] > person
supercilian1689
stiffrump1709
stiff-neck1921
the mind > will > decision > obstinacy or stubbornness > [noun] > obstinate or stubborn person
obstinate1435
mumpsimus1530
obstinant1581
ram-head1605
sitfast1606
stiff-stander1642
obduratea1665
ironface1697
sturdy1704
stiffrump1709
sturdy-boots1762
stickfast1827
impracticable1829
mule1846
bullet-head1848
hardshell1849
die-hard1857
hog on ice1857
last-ditcher1862
thick-and-thinnite1898
jusqu'auboutiste1916
stiff-neck1921
dead-ender1956
toughie1960
1921 Blackwood's Mag. Feb. 251/1 The stiff-necks of Victoria's entourage would have been painfully shocked.
1962 E. Snow Other Side of River (1963) i. 18 The young stiff-neck dismissed them angrily and told me I could do as I pleased about disposing of my excess but if I carried it I'd have to pay.
1975 New Yorker 28 Apr. 124/2 A repatriated American stiffneck who has been imprisoned by the North Vietnamese finds his particular solace in not budging an inch from the mindless chauvinism he set out with.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > pride > haughtiness or disdainfulness > [noun] > person
supercilian1689
stiffrump1709
stiff-neck1921
the mind > will > decision > obstinacy or stubbornness > [noun] > obstinate or stubborn person
obstinate1435
mumpsimus1530
obstinant1581
ram-head1605
sitfast1606
stiff-stander1642
obduratea1665
ironface1697
sturdy1704
stiffrump1709
sturdy-boots1762
stickfast1827
impracticable1829
mule1846
bullet-head1848
hardshell1849
die-hard1857
hog on ice1857
last-ditcher1862
thick-and-thinnite1898
jusqu'auboutiste1916
stiff-neck1921
dead-ender1956
toughie1960
1709 R. Steele & J. Addison Tatler No. 110. ⁋4 Ha! Is that thy Wisdom, old Stiffrump, ha?
stiff-stalk n. (see quot. 1884).
ΚΠ
1884 W. Miller Dict. Eng. Names Plants 130 Mexican Stiff-stalk, Rigidella flammea.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > decision > obstinacy or stubbornness > [noun] > obstinate or stubborn person
obstinate1435
mumpsimus1530
obstinant1581
ram-head1605
sitfast1606
stiff-stander1642
obduratea1665
ironface1697
sturdy1704
stiffrump1709
sturdy-boots1762
stickfast1827
impracticable1829
mule1846
bullet-head1848
hardshell1849
die-hard1857
hog on ice1857
last-ditcher1862
thick-and-thinnite1898
jusqu'auboutiste1916
stiff-neck1921
dead-ender1956
toughie1960
the world > action or operation > easiness > aid, help, or assistance > support > support or encouragement > [noun] > supporter or encourager > and stoutly defends
champion138.
propugnatorc1429
propugner1593
stickler1607
white knight1628
hyperaspist1638
stiff-stander1642
sticker-up1832
storm troops1918
storm trooper1935
1642 H. More Ψυχωδια Platonica sig. K6 O you stiff-standers for ag'd Ptolemee.
c. Parasynthetic adjectives and simple derivatives of these.
(a) † stiff-hearted adj. Obsolete† stiff-minded adj. Obsolete† stiff-witted adj. Obsolete
stiff backed adj.
ΚΠ
1847 W. M. Thackeray Vanity Fair (1848) xx. 174 The stiff-backed prig with his dandified airs and West-end swagger.
stiff-bodied adj.
ΚΠ
?1697 J. Lewis Mem. Duke of Glocester (1789) 11 His stiff-bodied coats were very troublesome to him in his military amusements.
1727 M. Delany Autobiogr. & Corr. (1861) I. 138 They were draped in stiff-bodied gowns of silver tissue.
stiff-boned adj.
ΚΠ
1896 ‘Iota’ Quaker Grandmother 198 We're not stiff-boned, stubborn things like men folk.
stiff-bosomed adj.
ΚΠ
1925 P. G. Wodehouse Carry on, Jeeves ix. 238 Then lay out one of the gents' stiff-bosomed [shirts].
1942 W. Faulkner Go down, Moses & Other Stories 74 A white stiff-bosomed collarless shirt beneath a pique vest.
stiff-collared adj.
ΚΠ
1898 M. L. Woods in 19th Cent. Dec. 1000 This stiff-collared hypocrite of a young Briton.
stiff-eared adj.
ΚΠ
?1523 J. Fitzherbert Bk. Husbandry f. xxxiv The nyne properties of an hare. The first is styffe eared.
stiff-elbowed adj.
ΚΠ
1956 H. Gold Man who was not with It vi. 50 I..walked imperfectly awake, stiff-elbowed, thick-tongued, and dim-sighted.
1973 M. Amis Rachel Papers 190 In this fashion, with twelve stiff-elbowed tugs, he has wanked into her head.
ΚΠ
1552 Abp. J. Hamilton Catech. i. xvi. f. 46v The sone quhilk was inobedient, stifhartit and thrawart to his father and mother.
1560 Bible (Geneva) Ezek. ii. 4 Thei are impudent children, and stiffe hearted.
stiff-jointed adj.
ΚΠ
1743 W. Ellis Mod. Husbandman Oct. i. 2 Its stiff-jointed, high-coloured, long Straw.
1876 ‘M. Twain’ Adventures Tom Sawyer xvi. 142 They felt rusty, and stiff-jointed, and a little homesick.
stiff-jointedness n. (figurative in quot.
ΚΠ
1921 Public Opinion 27 May 493/3 Half the stern, immutable principles that are so much admired, are mere stiff-jointedness.
1931 Times Rev. Year 1930 1 Jan. p. i/1 The stiffjointedness of all too many of our national habits.
stiff-kneed adj.
ΚΠ
1804 W. Blake in A. G. B. Russell Lett. (1906) 156 My good woman..is still stiff-kneed but well in other respects.
stiff-leathered adj.
ΚΠ
1576 T. Newton tr. L. Lemnie Touchstone of Complexions i. ix. 74 As hard and styffe-leathered bootes yt haue lyen long vnoccupyed.
stiff-leaved adj.
ΚΠ
1822 S. Clarke Hortus Anglicus II. 396 Aster Rigidus. Stiff-leaved Star Wort.
stiff-legged adj.
ΚΠ
1854 C. Dickens Hard Times iii. i. 263 In staggering over the universe with his rusty stiff-legged compasses, he had meant to do great things.
1922 J. Joyce Ulysses ii. xv. [Circe] 414 Bloom..blunders stifflegged, out of the track.
stiff-limbed adj.
ΚΠ
1914 ‘Saki’ Beasts & Super-beasts 65 Old Shep, the white-nozzled, stiff-limbed collie.
1973 M. Amis Rachel Papers 23 In normal circumstances, with her embarrassment in any kind of pre-coital conversation, her unassumingly pretty face, the stiff-limbed movements: you were a plaything of her unease.
stiff-lipped adj.
ΚΠ
1896 Tablet 23 May 801 A little cowardice, or complacency to stiff-lipped colleagues, and the old inequality will be perpetuated.
ΚΠ
1552 R. Huloet Abcedarium Anglico Latinum Stiffe minded or of courage, infractus animi.
1910 Spectator 5 Nov. 740/2 They are too stiff-minded.
stiff-pointed adj.
ΚΠ
1835 W. Whewell Archit. Notes German Churches (1842) 291 Stiff-pointed curled tufts of foliage.
stiff-rimmed adj.
ΚΠ
1715 Philos. Trans. 1714–16 (Royal Soc.) 29 233 Stif-rim'd Mary-gold.
stiff-shirted adj.
ΚΠ
1918 G. Frankau One of Them iv. 34 The patient lights of brougham or rarer car shine, Waiting stiff-shirted squires and ladies fair.
1933 D. Thomas Let. Nov. in Sel. Lett. (1966) 51 Please don't go all stiff-shirted on me.
stiff-tailed adj.
ΚΠ
c1875 Cassell's Nat. Hist. IV. 195 The last group of the Wild-fowl contains the Stiff-tailed Ducks, which are recognisable by their extremely rigid tail-feathers.
stiff-uddered adj.
ΚΠ
1616 T. Scot Philomythie sig. G8v Where the stiffe-vdder'd Cow long'd twice a day, To meete the merry milke maide on the way.
stiff-winged adj.
ΚΠ
1901 Practitioner Mar. 241 Why not an ‘Epic of Malaria’?.. But such a theme would surely spur the stiffest-winged Pegasus to empyrean flights.
1977 Devon Wetlands (Devon County Council) vii. 26 Fulmars..have a characteristic stiff-winged, gliding flight.
ΚΠ
1599 E. Sandys Europæ Speculum (1632) 75 Much like to a stout~hearted and stiff-witted Captaine, who scornes to imitate any stratageme before used by the enemy.
(b) † stiff-docked adj. Obsolete strong in the hind quarters.† stiff-rumped adj. figurative Obsolete unbending, obstinate, proud.† stiff-stomached adj. Obsolete hard-hearted.† stiff streamed adj. Obsolete having a strong current.
stiff-arsed adj. slang (see quot. 1937).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > pride > haughtiness or disdainfulness > [adjective]
overmoodeOE
highlyOE
overmoodOE
overmoodyOE
orgelc1175
dangerous?c1225
orgula1275
orgulousc1275
fiercec1290
hautain1297
highfulc1325
squeamousc1325
deignousc1330
digne1340
disdainousc1374
sirlya1375
lordlyc1390
high-hearteda1398
haught1430
haut1430
coppedc1449
excellentc1450
fastidious?a1475
loftyc1485
dain?1507
hichty1513
stiff-necked1526
supercilious1528
haughty1530
taunt?a1534
disdainfula1542
high in the instep1555
skeighc1560
queen-like?1571
surlyc1572
stately1579
coy1581
paughtya1586
steya1586
disdained1598
dortya1605
lordlike1605
overly1606
magnatical1608
stiff1608
surly-borne1609
high-sighted1610
lofty-minded1611
sublimed1611
patronizing1619
lording1629
sublimated1634
cavaliering1642
uncondescending1660
nose-in-the-air1673
sidy1673
fastuose1674
uncondescensive1681
condescending1707
stiff-rumped1728
fastidiose1730
cavalier1751
ogertful1754
pawky1809
supercilian1825
splendid1833
touch-me-not1852
pincé1858
high-stepping1867
eyeglassy1871
sniffy1871
cavalierly1876
snifty1889
Olympian1900
ritzy1920
mugwumpish1923
blasé1930
stiff-arsed1937
nose-high1939
1937 E. Partridge Dict. Slang 831/2 Stiff-arsed, haughty; supercilious.
1971 B. Malamud Tenants 70 If you think you..are goint to be stiffassed and uptight by what I say, maybe we ought to call it off before we start?
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > animal body > general parts > rump and tail > [adjective] > relating to the rump > having a rump of particular kind
stiff-docked?1523
rumped1601
the world > animals > mammals > group Unguiculata or clawed mammal > family Felidae (feline) > [adjective] > of or resembling a lion > strong in hind quarters
stiff-docked?1523
?1523 J. Fitzherbert Bk. Husbandry f. xxxi The four properties of a lyon. The first to haue a brode brest: the seconde to be styffe docked.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > pride > haughtiness or disdainfulness > [adjective]
overmoodeOE
highlyOE
overmoodOE
overmoodyOE
orgelc1175
dangerous?c1225
orgula1275
orgulousc1275
fiercec1290
hautain1297
highfulc1325
squeamousc1325
deignousc1330
digne1340
disdainousc1374
sirlya1375
lordlyc1390
high-hearteda1398
haught1430
haut1430
coppedc1449
excellentc1450
fastidious?a1475
loftyc1485
dain?1507
hichty1513
stiff-necked1526
supercilious1528
haughty1530
taunt?a1534
disdainfula1542
high in the instep1555
skeighc1560
queen-like?1571
surlyc1572
stately1579
coy1581
paughtya1586
steya1586
disdained1598
dortya1605
lordlike1605
overly1606
magnatical1608
stiff1608
surly-borne1609
high-sighted1610
lofty-minded1611
sublimed1611
patronizing1619
lording1629
sublimated1634
cavaliering1642
uncondescending1660
nose-in-the-air1673
sidy1673
fastuose1674
uncondescensive1681
condescending1707
stiff-rumped1728
fastidiose1730
cavalier1751
ogertful1754
pawky1809
supercilian1825
splendid1833
touch-me-not1852
pincé1858
high-stepping1867
eyeglassy1871
sniffy1871
cavalierly1876
snifty1889
Olympian1900
ritzy1920
mugwumpish1923
blasé1930
stiff-arsed1937
nose-high1939
the mind > will > decision > obstinacy or stubbornness > [adjective] > inflexible
ironOE
stour1303
strange1338
unmovablea1382
inflexible1398
stoutc1410
unpliablea1425
intreatable1509
stiff1526
stiff-necked1526
unpliant1547
stout-hearted1552
inexorable1553
obstinate1559
strait-laced1560
impersuasible1576
unflexiblea1586
hard-edged1589
adamantive1594
unyielding1594
adder-deaf1597
steeled1600
irrefragable1601
rigid1606
unpersuadable1607
imployable1613
unswayablea1616
uncompellable1623
inflexive?1624
over-rigid1632
unlimbera1639
seta1640
incomplying1640
uncomplying1643
stiff-girt1659
impersuadable1680
unbendinga1688
impracticable1713
unblendable1716
stiff-rumped1728
unconvinciblea1747
uncompounding1782
unplastic1787
unbending1796
adamant1816
uneasy1819
uncompromising1828
cast iron1829
hard-hitting1831
rigoristic1844
ramrod1850
pincé1858
anchylosed1860
unbendable1884
tape-bound1900
tape-tied1900
hard line1903
tough1905
absolutist1907
hard-arsed1942
go-for-broke1946
hardcore1951
hard-arse1966
hard-ass1967
hardball1974
1728 W. Somerville Epist. to Ramsay i. 91 Self-conceit, and stiff-rumpt Pride.
1812 G. Colman Broad Grins 54 The stiff-rump'd rascals [the friars] look'd so sanctified.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > absence of emotion > [adjective] > callous or hard-hearted
hard hearteOE
steelena1000
hardOE
hard-heartedc1225
stony?c1230
yhert1340
dure1412
hardedc1425
induratec1425
stonishc1450
hardenedc1480
steely1508
flinty1536
endured1540
stiff-stomached1540
heartless1556
indured1558
flint-hearted1560
iron1561
marble1565
stone-hearted?1569
stony-hearted1569
iron-hearted1570
steel-hearted1571
rocky?1578
brawned1582
flinted1582
padded1583
obdure?1590
brawny1596
flintful1596
flint-heart1596
steeled1600
cauterized1603
indurated1604
flinty-hearted1629
ahenean1630
dedolent1633
brawny-hearteda1639
hard-grained1643
callous1647
upsitten1682
seared1684
petrified1720
calloused1746
coreless1813
pebble-hearted1816
hard-shelled1848
hard-plucked1857
steel trap1921
1540 J. Palsgrave tr. G. Gnapheus Comedye of Acolastus v. ii. sig. Yiij He that is so styffe stomaked, or so harde harted.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the earth > water > flow or flowing > current > [adjective] > strong
strongeOE
stiff streamed1632
racy1793
1632 W. Lithgow Totall Disc. Trav. ix. 380 The stiffe stream'd Dolf.
C2. Compounds of the adverb, with participial adjectives.
a. Rigidly, tightly, obstinately, etc.† stiff-holden adj. Obsolete
ΚΠ
?1531 J. Frith Disput. Purgatorye ii. sig. h4 An heresye is a stiffe holden opinion repugnaunte vnto scripture.
1818 J. Keats Endymion ii. 53 Stiff-holden shields, far-piercing spears, keen blades.
stiff-rustling adj.
ΚΠ
1606 J. Sylvester tr. G. de S. Du Bartas Deuine Weekes & Wks. (new ed.) ii. iii. 19 A gagged Vsher that doth never weare Stiff-russling silkes.
stiff-swathed adj.
b. So as to be stiff, in various senses.
stiff-bent adj.
ΚΠ
1581 A. Hall tr. Homer 10 Bks. Iliades iii. 45 With bow stifbent, and with quiuer, and many a shaft therein.
1647 H. More Philos. Poems ii. App. xxxviii Sent out from bow stiff-bent with even string.
stiff-built adj.
ΚΠ
1861 H. Mayhew London Labour (new ed.) III. 272/1 Some vessels are so stiff-built, that they can discharge the whole of their cargo without taking in any ballast at all.
stiff-dressed adj.
ΚΠ
1886 Daily News 13 Oct. 2/6 Stiff-dressed nets are still dull of sale.
stiff-bolting adj.
ΚΠ
1624 F. Quarles Iob Militant iii His stiffe-bolting haire: (Not much vnlike the pennes of Porcupines).
stiff-grown adj.
ΚΠ
1596 Raigne of Edward III sig. F3 Like stiffe growen oakes, [they] will stand immouable, When whirle wind quickly turnes vp yonger trees. View more context for this quotation
stiff-starched adj.
ΚΠ
1828 M. R. Mitford Our Village III. 32 A woman..stiff-starched and strait-laced.
stiff-stretched adj.
ΚΠ
1657 W. Rand tr. P. Gassendi Mirrour of Nobility vi. 224 A great stiff-stretched swelling arose upon the Region of his Bladder.
1667 J. Dryden Annus Mirabilis 1666 cxxi. 31 The Dutch..Whose Navy like a stiff stretch'd cord did show Till he bore in, and bent them into flight.
c. † stiff-borne adj. Obsolete obstinately pursued.† stiff-girt adj. figurative Obsolete inflexible, obstinate.† stiff-thrown adj. Obsolete thrown with great force.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > decision > obstinacy or stubbornness > [adjective] > of action, disposition, etc.
doura1522
stubborn1526
affectioneda1576
stiff-bornea1616
a1616 W. Shakespeare Henry IV, Pt. 2 (1623) i. i. 176 None of this..could restraine The stiffe-borne Action.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > decision > obstinacy or stubbornness > [adjective] > inflexible
ironOE
stour1303
strange1338
unmovablea1382
inflexible1398
stoutc1410
unpliablea1425
intreatable1509
stiff1526
stiff-necked1526
unpliant1547
stout-hearted1552
inexorable1553
obstinate1559
strait-laced1560
impersuasible1576
unflexiblea1586
hard-edged1589
adamantive1594
unyielding1594
adder-deaf1597
steeled1600
irrefragable1601
rigid1606
unpersuadable1607
imployable1613
unswayablea1616
uncompellable1623
inflexive?1624
over-rigid1632
unlimbera1639
seta1640
incomplying1640
uncomplying1643
stiff-girt1659
impersuadable1680
unbendinga1688
impracticable1713
unblendable1716
stiff-rumped1728
unconvinciblea1747
uncompounding1782
unplastic1787
unbending1796
adamant1816
uneasy1819
uncompromising1828
cast iron1829
hard-hitting1831
rigoristic1844
ramrod1850
pincé1858
anchylosed1860
unbendable1884
tape-bound1900
tape-tied1900
hard line1903
tough1905
absolutist1907
hard-arsed1942
go-for-broke1946
hardcore1951
hard-arse1966
hard-ass1967
hardball1974
1659 J. Gauden Ἱερα Δακρυα ii. xxx. 246 He, stiffe-girt and inexorable, went with a short turn out of the Church.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > impelling or driving > projecting through space or throwing > [adjective] > thrown > with force
stiff-thrown1608
well-tossedc1622
1608 J. Sylvester tr. G. de S. Du Bartas Deuine Weekes & Wks. (new ed.) ii. iv. 135 A stiff-throw'n Bowl, which running down a Hill, Meets in the way som stub.
Draft additions 1993
A poor competitor, a sure loser; spec. a racehorse or boxer that is unlikely to win, occasionally one which is not intended to win. Cf. A. 2b. slang (originally U.S.).
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > failure or lack of success > defeat or overthrow > [noun] > losing > one who loses > one who is sure to lose
stiff1912
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > fighting sports > boxing > [noun] > boxer > types of
bruiser1744
ruffian1791
in-fighter1812
punisher1812
nobber1821
receiver general1821
slogger1829
slogster1881
ham1888
slaughterer1896
pushover1908
bum1917
mauler1920
palooka1920
round heel1926
set-up1926
powder puff1931
spoiler1948
kick-boxer1978
stiff1989
1912 J. Sandilands Western Canad. Dict. & Phrase-bk. Stiff, a corpse, or about as valueless as a corpse. Frequently used in reference to players who are of no use in the game.
1918 Chrons. N.Z.E.F. 7 June 205/1 Remarks are heard on the ‘tinny’ luck or otherwise of the players, while the ‘stiffs’ [unlucky players] bemoan their luck.
1989 Times Lit. Suppl. 13 Jan. 27/2 He behaved a lot like a manager of prize-fighters who has a stable of stiffs, one of whom he might send out against the opposition at selected times.
Draft additions 1993
A commercial venture, esp. in the entertainment business, which merits or meets with public indifference; a flop. colloquial (originally U.S.).
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > failure or lack of success > [noun] > one who or that which is unsuccessful > that which is a failure
fizzle1846
fiasco1855
frost1874
blue duck1889
wash-out1902
blowout1925
turkey1927
flopperoo1936
stiff1937
muck-up1942
bomb1954
fizzer1957
lead balloon1960
damp squib1963
bummer1967
downer1976
1937 Sunday Jrnl. & Star (Lincoln, Nebraska) 26 Sept. c–d. 12/3 Stiff, the only negative term in the list, describes a bust, a flop, a complete failure.
1949 Amer. Weekly in N.Y. Jrnl.-American 30 Oct. 21/2 Juggy listened to the tune and was disheartened. ‘It's a stiff,’ he said—meaning that it was no good.
1981 A. Nightingale Chase Fade 91/2 A ‘stiff’ in record company parlance means a flop.
1987 Hi-Fi News Jan. 57/2 When you think about it, these are likely to be the most popular products in our market, as receivers are total stiffs as far as the UK is concerned (it seems that only the Yanks buy them in great numbers).
Draft additions 1993
slang. An erection (of the penis).
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > the body > sex organs > male sex organs > [noun] > penis > erect
Priapusc1487
Priap1561
Priapian1598
polec1600
Jack1604
maypole1607
stalk1609
rod1641
bone1654
stick1707
ramrod1768
horn1785
phallus1807
phallos1885
ithyphallus1889
boner1960
stiff1980
stonker1987
1980 ‘T. Hinde’ Sir Henry & Sons x. 77 What Selby does each night for our entertainment in the Wolves dormitory, getting an enormous pink stiff on his..cock.
1983 Aman & Sardo in Maledicta 1982 VI. 23 Erection (males),..stiff, stiffer, etc.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1916; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
stiffv.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > the body > bodily constitution > bodily strength > become strong (of the body or its parts) [verb (intransitive)]
prevaila1398
stiff1399
enablec1420
storkenc1425
1399 W. Langland Richard Redeles iii. 54 But as sone as þey [sc. young partridges] styffe and þat þey steppe kunne.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > constitution of matter > hardness > types of hardness > [verb (transitive)] > make stiff or rigid
stivea1375
stiff1486
stent1488
stiffen1622
rigidify1842
stark1862
rigidize1936
1486 Bk. St. Albans a vij If her goorge be wide and the bowell any thyng stiffid.
1582 R. Stanyhurst tr. Virgil First Foure Bookes Æneis iv. 83 But Dido affrighted, stift also in her obstinat onset,..Too the inner quadrant runneth.
1648 H. Hexham Groot Woorden-boeck Stijven, als, doecken Stijven, to Stiffe or to Starch linnen.
1650 W. Brough Sacred Princ. 164 Covetousnesse..Lames the hand to good works. Stiffes the knees to the holy Sacrament.
3. To cheat; to refuse to pay or tip (a person). slang (originally and chiefly U.S.).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > taking > stealing or theft > defrauding or swindling > perpetrate (a swindle) [verb (transitive)] > defraud or swindle
defraud1362
deceivec1380
plucka1500
lurch1530
defeata1538
souse1545
lick1548
wipe1549
fraud1563
use1564
cozen1573
nick1576
verse1591
rooka1595
trim1600
skelder1602
firk1604
dry-shave1620
fiddle1630
nose1637
foista1640
doa1642
sharka1650
chouse1654
burn1655
bilk1672
under-enter1692
sharp1699
stick1699
finger1709
roguea1714
fling1749
swindle1773
jink1777
queer1778
to do over1781
jump1789
mace1790
chisel1808
slang1812
bucket1819
to clean out1819
give it1819
to put in the hole1819
ramp1819
sting1819
victimize1839
financier1840
gum1840
snakea1861
to take down1865
verneuk1871
bunco1875
rush1875
gyp1879
salt1882
daddle1883
work1884
to have (one) on toast1886
slip1890
to do (a person) in the eye1891
sugar1892
flay1893
to give (someone) the rinky-dink1895
con1896
pad1897
screw1900
short-change1903
to do in1906
window dress1913
ream1914
twist1914
clean1915
rim1918
tweedle1925
hype1926
clip1927
take1927
gazump1928
yentz1930
promote1931
to take (someone) to the cleaners1932
to carve up1933
chizz1948
stiff1950
scam1963
to rip off1969
to stitch up1970
skunk1971
to steal (someone) blind1974
diddle-
1950 Sat. Evening Post 15 July 124/3 It was a signal for the waiter to hustle over and put the arm on the customer who was trying to stiff him.
1968 J. M. Ullman Lady on Fire (1969) vi. 85 He's still haggling over the bill..trying to stiff me for a thousand less than agreed on.
1978 Detroit Free Press 5 Mar. b 3/1 Some New York waiters will tell you that the wealthiest men stiff you on a tip.
1979 Globe & Mail (Toronto) 31 May 2/5 Agents are still going bankrupt, but now it means they are leaving debts with the wholesalers and airlines. They aren't stiffing the consumer.
1982 Washington Post 9 Jan. 21/2 What is McCarthy doing when he refuses to tip a waiter who has given good service?.. He may be cursed by the waiter he stiffs.
1982 Washington Post 9 Jan. 21/3 Instead of stiffing his servers, McCarthy should be stiffing their employers.
4. To kill; to murder. Cf. stiff n. 3a. slang.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > death > killing > man-killing or homicide > murder or assassination > murder or assassinate [verb (transitive)]
amurderOE
murderc1175
homicidec1470
murdresc1480
murtrish1490
manquell1548
slaughter1582
massacre1591
assassinate1600
remove1609
assassin1620
to do the business for a person1759
Septembrize1794
croak1823
square1888
shift1898
to take out1900
to bump off1907
bump1914
to do in1914
to put out1917
to knock off1919
terminate1920
to give (a person) the works1929
scrag1930
snuff1932
wash1941
waste1964
wipe1968
to terminate with extreme prejudice1969
neutralize1970
snuff1973
stiff1974
1974 R. L. Simon Wild Turkey (1976) xiv. 104 ‘The Japanese girl..was found stiffed in an air-conditioning duct.’.. ‘Stiffed?’ ‘Asesinato.’
1978 C. Egleton Mills Bomb vii. 73 Did she blow their cover too? Is that how they got stiffed in Prague?
Derivatives
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > constitution of matter > hardness > types of hardness > [adjective] > stiff or rigid > stiffened
stiffed1565
stiffened1602
rigidified1847
rigidized1886
upstiffed1922
1565 T. Stapleton Fortresse of Faith f. 112v O hard stiffed necke, o froward harte.
Draft additions March 2007
intransitive. slang (originally Music). Of a record, film, etc.: to fail, to flop; to meet with public indifference. Cf. stiff n. 3.
ΚΠ
1973 Phonograph Record Oct. 23/4 Like the two previous 45s, it stiffed totally.
1983 in T. Hibbert Rockspeak! 149 The..album completely stiffed in the States.
1993 Entertainm. Weekly 31 Dec. 74/2 The screen version of her Ethan Frome stiffed.
2006 Miami Herald (Nexis) 21 July g16 The series was tarnished as a turkey and naturally it stiffed.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1916; most recently modified version published online September 2019).
<
adj.n.adv.1000
v.1399- to set a saw
- to set a stay
- to stand stall
- to stand stead
- to stand stiff
- to stand still
- to stand stith
- to stand stock still
- to stand suit
- to stand surety
- to stand tall
- to stand the gaff
- to stand the hazard
- to stand the hazard of
- to stand the market
- to stand the pace
- to stand the patter
- to stand the perk
- to stand the racket
- to stand the test of time
- to stand thick with
- to stand till
- to stand to
- to stand to a person's pleasure
- to stand to arms