versteifen
Translation
to stiffen, to reinforce, to brace
Examples
Der Gips versteift das gebrochene Bein.
The cast stiffens the broken leg.
Seine Muskeln versteiften sich vor Kälte.
His muscles stiffened from the cold.
Er versteifte sich auf seine Meinung.
He stubbornly stuck to his opinion.
Grammar Patterns
((sth.)) to stiffen/reinforce sth. The engineer reinforces the bridge.
sich versteifen to become stiff His neck stiffened.
sich auf+4 versteifen to stubbornly insist on sth. She insisted on her idea.
Similar Words
erstarren (to solidify), verhärten (to harden); Antonyms: lockern (to loosen), entspannen (to relax)
Etymology
From the prefix 'ver-' (indicating a change of state) + the adjective 'steif' (stiff, rigid). Literally 'to make stiff'.
Memory Tips
Think of something becoming 'very stiff' ('ver-' + 'steif'). Like a wet cloth freezing solid.