different between thickness vs stiffness

English

Etymology

From Middle English thikkenesse, thiknesse, from Old English þicnes (“thickness, viscosity, density, hardness; obscurity, cloud, darkness; thicket; depth, a thick body, anything thick or heavy”), equivalent to thick +? -ness. Eclipsed non-native Middle English crassitude (“thickness”) from Latin crassit?d? (“thickness”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /???kn?s/
• Hyphenation: thick?ness

Noun

thickness (countable and uncountable, plural thicknesses)

1. (uncountable) The property of being thick (in dimension).
2. (uncountable) A measure of how thick (in dimension) something is.

   The thickness of the Earth's crust varies from two to 70 kilometres.

3. (countable) A layer.

   We upholstered the seat with three thicknesses of cloth to make it more comfortable to sit on.

4. (uncountable) The quality of being thick (in consistency).

   Whip the cream until it reaches a good thickness.

5. (uncountable, informal) The property of being thick (slow to understand).

Synonyms

• (the property of being thick in dimension): fatness
• (measure): depth
• (layer): layer, stratum
• (in consistency): density, viscosity
• (property of being stupid): denseness, slowness, stupidity, thickheadedness

Antonyms

• (in consistency): fluidity, liquidity, runniness, thinness, wateriness
• (property of being stupid): mental acuity, mental agility, quick-wittedness, sharpness

Translations

Further reading

• Thickness on Wikipedia.Wikipedia

Anagrams

• Nitschkes, shitnecks, tschinkes

English

Etymology

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

Noun

stiffness (countable and uncountable, plural stiffnesses)

1. Rigidity or a measure of rigidity.
2. Inflexibility or a measure of inflexibility.
3. Inelegance; a lack of relaxedness.
   • 1699, William Temple, Heads designed for an essay on conversations

     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.

4. Muscular tension due to unaccustomed or excessive exercise or work; soreness.

Translations