Defn: The quality or state of being stiff; as, the stiffness of cloth or of paste; stiffness of manner; stiffness of character. The vices of old age have the stiffness of it too. South.
STIFFTAIL
Stiff"tail`, n.
Defn: The ruddy duck. [Local, U.S.]
STIFF-TAILED
Stiff"-tailed`, a. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Having the quill feathers of the tail somewhat rigid.
STIFLE
Sti"fle, n. Etym: [From Stiff.] (Far.)
Defn: The joint next above the hock, and near the flank, in the hind leg of the horse and allied animals; the joint corresponding to the knee in man; — called also stifle joint. See Illust. under Horse. Stifle bone, a small bone at the stifle joint; the patella, or kneepan.
STIFLE
Sti"fle, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Stifled; p. pr. & vb. n. Stifling.]
Etym: [Freq. of OE. stif stiff; cf. Icel. stifla to dam up.]
1. To stop the breath of by crowding something into the windpipe, or introducing an irrespirable substance into the lungs; to choke; to suffocate; to cause the death of by such means; as, to stifle one with smoke or dust. Stifled with kisses, a sweet death he dies. Dryden. I took my leave, being half stifled with the closeness of the room. Swift.
2. To stop; to extinguish; to deaden; to quench; as, to stifle the breath; to stifle a fire or flame. Bodies . . . stifle in themselves the rays which they do not reflect or transmit. Sir I. Newton.