How Do You Spell STIFFNESS?

Pronunciation: [stˈɪfnəs] (IPA)

The word "stiffness" is spelled with two consonants and four vowels. The first sound is /s/, represented by the letter s, followed by the vowel sound /tɪ/, represented by the letters t and i. The next sound is the consonant sound /f/, represented by the letter f, followed by the vowel sound /nəs/, represented by the letters n and e. Finally, the word ends with the consonant sound /s/, represented by the letter s. The IPA phonetic transcription of "stiffness" is /ˈstɪfnəs/.

STIFFNESS Meaning and Definition

1. Stiffness is a term used to describe the resistance or rigidity of a material or object to deformation when subjected to an external force. It is a property that quantifies how difficult it is to bend, stretch, or otherwise distort a substance. Stiffness is closely related to the concept of elasticity, which refers to a material's ability to return to its original shape after being deformed. However, unlike elasticity, stiffness does not depend on the extent of deformation, but rather on the material's inherent resistance to any deformation.

   In everyday life, stiffness is commonly encountered and assessed in various objects and structures. For example, a credit card is typically stiff, meaning it is difficult to bend. In contrast, a rubber band is less stiff as it can easily stretch and deform. Stiffness is often expressed quantitatively through measurements such as Young's modulus or stiffness constants, which can be used to compare and rank different materials based on their relative rigidity.

   In the field of engineering and physics, stiffness plays a crucial role in the design and analysis of structures and materials. Understanding and predicting stiffness is essential in ensuring the structural integrity and performance of buildings, bridges, machines, and various mechanical systems.

2. The state of being stiff; want of flexibility; stubbornness; the state of being harsh and constrained.

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

Top Common Misspellings for STIFFNESS *

• stiffnes 37.037037%
• stifness 33.3333333%
• stoffness 7.4074074%
• stiffnerss 7.4074074%
• sniffness 7.4074074%
• siffness 7.4074074%

* 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 STIFFNESS

• stiffless
• stiffners
• stilness
• swifness
• stiffnesss
• stiffiness
• stiffnesses
• stiffles
• stiffels
• tifness
• stiffner
• stifeners
• steffnes
• stiffeness
• Stikyness
• Stimeness
• Stifeness
• Steffness

Etymology of STIFFNESS

The word "stiffness" is originally derived from the Old English word "stīfnes", which was formed by combining the elements "stīf" meaning "inflexible" or "rigid" and "-nes" denoting a state or condition. The Old English term "stīf" can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic word "stībijaz", meaning "rigid" or "hard". This ultimately originated from the Proto-Indo-European root "*stīb(h)-", indicating hardness or stiffness. Over time, the word "stiffness" took form in Middle English as "stiffenes" before eventually evolving to its current spelling and pronunciation.

Similar spelling words for STIFFNESS

• stiffener,
• stiffen,
• Stefanie,
• stuffiness,
• Stefany,
• Stefan,
• Stefani,
• steepness,
• stiffened,
• Steffan,
• Stefano,
• Steffen,
• stubbiness,
• stefanski.

Plural form of STIFFNESS is STIFFNESSES