Search the Dictionary

Stiff; stout; strong; as, a sturdy oak. Milton. He was not of any delicate contexture; his limbs rather sturdy than dainty. Sir H. Wotton.

A stiff wire, inserted in catheters or other tubular instruments to maintain their shape and prevent clogging.

ty; the process by which a defendant in equity is commanded to appear and answer the plaintiff's bill. [Written also subpena.] Subpoena ad testificandum (. Etym: [NL.] A writ used to procure the attendance of a witness for the purpose of testifying. -- Subpoena duces tecum (. Etym: [NL.] A writ which requires a witnes…

Somewhat rigid or stiff.

An order of Infusoria having the body armed with somewhat stiff, tubular processes which they use as suckers in obtaining their food. They are usually stalked.

e. -- To bring suit. (Law) (a) To bring secta, followers or witnesses, to prove the plaintiff's demand. [Obs.] (b) In modern usage, to institute an action. -- To follow suit. (Card Playing) See under Follow, v. t.

To call, bid, or cite; to notify to come to appear; -- often with up. Stiffen the sinews, summon up the blood. Shak. Trumpets summon him to war. Dryden.

ved on a person, warning him to appear in court at a day specified, to answer to the plaintiff, testify as a witness, or the like.

ill she had bent her daughter's mind and suppled her will. Locke. They should supple our stiff willfulness. Barrow.

To reply, as a plaintiff to a defendant's rebutter.

The reply of a plaintiff to a defendant's rebutter.

To reply, as a plaintiff to a defendant's rejoinder.

The answer of a plaintiff to a defendant's rejoinder.

A metallic binding, tube, or point, at the end of a string, or lace, to stiffen it.

That may be legally charged by a court against the plaintiff of defendant in a suit; as, taxable costs. -- Tax"a*ble*ness, n. -- Tax"a*bly, adv.

enus Dipsacus, of which one species (D. fullonum) bears a large flower head covered with stiff, prickly, hooked bracts. This flower head, when dried, is used for raising a nap on woolen cloth.

nd shows on the other side. Cf. Tooth, Tusk. Tenon saw, a saw with a thin blade, usually stiffened by a brass or steel back, for cutting tenons. [Corruptly written tenant saw.] Gwilt.

Stretched tightly; strained to stiffness; rigid; not lax; as, a tense fiber. The temples were sunk, her forehead was tense, and a fatal paleness was upon her. Goldsmith. -- Tense"ly, adv. -- Tense"ness, n.

The act of stretching or straining; the state of being stretched or strained to stiffness; the state of being bent strained; as, the tension of the muscles, tension of the larynx.

The quality or state of being tense, or strained to stiffness; tension; tenseness.