How Do You Spell STIFFENER?

Pronunciation: [stˈɪfənə] (IPA)

The word "stiffener" is spelled with two F's, despite the fact that the letter combination "ff" often represents a /f/ sound. The IPA phonetic transcription of "stiffener" is /ˈstɪfənər/. The pronunciation of this word is divided into two syllables: "stiff" and "ener". The first syllable is stressed and contains the /f/ sound, while the second syllable contains the /n/ sound. The double F is necessary to indicate to readers and spell checkers that the word should not be pronounced as "stif-ner".

STIFFENER Meaning and Definition

1. A stiffener is a noun that refers to a material or object used to enhance the rigidity or durability of another item, usually by providing additional support or reinforcement. It is commonly employed in various fields, including engineering, construction, and manufacturing.

   In engineering and construction, a stiffener is typically a metallic or non-metallic component added to strengthen or stabilize a structure, such as beams, columns, or plates. It can take the form of plates, bars, or even custom-made reinforcements depending on the specific application. Stiffeners play a crucial role in preventing excessive deflection, buckling, or distortion of the structure, thereby improving its overall strength and load-bearing capacity.

   In manufacturing, stiffeners are employed to provide reinforcement and support to specific components, such as panels, sheets, or fabrications. They are commonly used in industries like automotive, aerospace, or shipbuilding to enhance the strength and integrity of various parts. Stiffeners can be rigidly attached or integrated into the design of the component, allowing it to resist forces like bending, torsion, or vibration more effectively.

   Overall, stiffeners serve as vital tools to enhance the stability, strength, and longevity of various structures and components. Their inclusion ensures that items can efficiently withstand external forces or loads, offering increased safety, reliability, and performance.

2. That which stiffens.

   Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Top Common Misspellings for STIFFENER *

• stiffner 33.3333333%

* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.

Other Common Misspellings for STIFFENER

• stiffnes
• stiffners
• stiffned
• stiffined
• stifened
• stiffend
• stifeners
• atiffener
• ztiffener
• stifferner
• stifener
• Stifelor
• Swiffeer
• sniffeler
• Stiffenor
• Steffenor
• Steffner
• Steffaner

Etymology of STIFFENER

The word "stiffener" originated from the verb "stiffen" which dates back to the 14th century. The term "stiffen" comes from the Old English word "styfan", meaning "to strengthen" or "to make rigid". The Old English word has Germanic roots, specifically from the Proto-Germanic word "*stúbijaną". Ultimately, the word can be traced back to the Proto-Indo-European root "*steb(h)-", which means "to stiffen" or "to make solid". Over time, "stiffener" emerged as a noun derived from the verb "stiffen", referring to a material or device used to reinforce or make something rigid.

Similar spelling words for STIFFENER

• Stefan,
• steffensen,
• stiffness,
• stiffen,
• stuffiness,
• Steffan,
• Steffenson,
• stiffened,
• Steffen,
• Steffenhagen,
• steffens,
• stiffening,
• Steven.

Plural form of STIFFENER is STIFFENERS