stiffness

Etymology

From Middle English stiffenes, styffenesse, styfnesse; equivalent to stiff + -ness. Perhaps merging with Middle English stithnesse, stithnysse, from Old English stīþness (“stiffness”).

noun

1. rigidity or a measure of rigidity.
2. inflexibility or a measure of inflexibility.
3. inelegance; a lack of relaxedness.
   His stiffness hampered the conversation.
   Study gives strength to the mind; conversation, grace: the first apt to give stiffness, the other suppleness: one gives substance and form to the statue, the other polishes it. 1699, William Temple, Heads designed for an essay on conversations
4. muscular tension due to unaccustomed or excessive exercise or work; soreness.