enrijece, endurece, endurecimento
1. becomes stiff or rigid; loses flexibility
The fabric stiffens when you add starch to it.
O tecido enrijece quando você adiciona amido nele.
2. becomes firm or determined; strengthens resolve
Her resolve stiffens as she faces the challenge.
Sua determinação se fortalece enquanto enfrenta o desafio.
3. becomes tense or rigid in body position
He stiffens in fear when he hears the noise.
Ele fica rígido de medo quando ouve o barulho.
4. makes something harder or more rigid
The cold stiffens the clay.
O frio endurece a argila.
This verb is commonly used in both American English and Brazilian Portuguese in formal and informal contexts. The phrase 'stiffens one's upper lip' is an idiom meaning to show courage or emotional control, particularly valued in Anglo-American culture. In Brazilian Portuguese, similar expressions exist but are less common in everyday speech.
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