stiffener

[stˈɪfənɚ] /-f(ə)nə(r) How to pronounce stiffener (audio)/ (ame, mw)

stiffener — 名詞

1. a firm piece or layer added inside clothing, hats, bags, folders, or similar ite

1.名詞C1
釋義

襯板

裝在衣物、帽子或袋子裡幫助定型的硬片

a firm piece or layer added inside clothing, hats, bags, folders, or similar items so they keep their shape and do not bend too easily

例句

The tailor slipped a stiffener into the collar before sewing the shirt closed.

裁縫師在把襯衫縫好前，先把一片襯板塞進領子裡。

put a stiffener into a collar

A thin plastic stiffener keeps the document folder from bending in Elena's backpack.

一片薄塑膠襯板讓那個文件夾放在 Elena 的背包裡也不容易彎掉。

同義詞
  • insert

    broader term for any piece put inside something, not only for shape support

  • interfacing

    sewing term for the inner layer that adds body to fabric parts such as collars and cuffs

  • support panel

    used especially for bags, folders, or other flat products rather than clothing

文法句型

put a stiffener into [collar/bag/hat]

sew a stiffener into [item]

用法筆記

Usually refers to a hidden or partly hidden piece that stays inside the finished item. Distinguish from sense 3, which is a substance brushed or sprayed on, and from sense 2, which is a load-bearing support part.

常見錯誤

❌The bag has a stiffener, so it feels like stone.
✅The bag has a stiffener, so it keeps its shape.
💡a stiffener supports form; it does not mean the whole item is extremely hard.

2. a bar, rib, or other support piece fixed to a panel, frame, or surface to stop i

2.名詞C1
釋義

補強件

裝在板面或框架上、防止受力彎曲的支撐件

a bar, rib, or other support piece fixed to a panel, frame, or surface to stop it from bending or buckling under pressure

例句

Engineers welded a stiffener across the steel plate to stop it warping.

工程師把一個補強件焊在鋼板上，防止它變形。

weld a stiffener across a plate

Each shelf has a metal stiffener underneath to carry the weight of the books.

每一層架子底下都有金屬補強件，用來承受書本的重量。

同義詞
  • brace

    general word for a support, often diagonal rather than flat against a panel

  • rib

    usually a long narrow support ridge rather than any support piece

  • reinforcement

    broader term for anything added to strengthen a structure

文法句型

add a stiffener to [panel/door/shelf]

weld a stiffener across [plate]

用法筆記

This sense is used for structural work in metal, wood, plastic, or composite parts. Unlike sense 1, the stiffener is meant to take load and resist force, not simply help a soft item keep a neat shape.

常見錯誤

❌We painted the wall with a stiffener.
✅We bolted a stiffener to the wall frame.
💡in this sense a stiffener is a solid support part, not a liquid treatment.

3. a liquid, powder, or similar substance used to make fabric, paper, ribbon, or an

3.名詞C1
釋義

硬挺劑

用來讓布料、紙張等變得較硬挺的液體或粉末

a liquid, powder, or similar substance used to make fabric, paper, ribbon, or another material firmer and less floppy

例句

The bookbinder brushed a stiffener onto the cover so the corners stayed flat.

裝訂師把硬挺劑刷在封面上，讓四個角保持平整。

brush a stiffener onto a cover

Aoi sprayed a light stiffener on the ribbon before tying the bow.

Aoi 在綁蝴蝶結前，先在緞帶上噴了一層輕量硬挺劑。

同義詞
  • sizing

    common term for a treatment that adds body to paper or fabric

  • starch

    specific household stiffener used mainly on clothing and table linen

  • hardener

    broader term that can make many materials firmer, not only fabric or paper

反義詞
  • softener

    substance used to make fabric or another material feel less stiff

文法句型

brush a stiffener onto [surface]

mix a stiffener into [paste/liquid]

用法筆記

Usually refers to something applied during making, washing, or repairing rather than a visible part left inside the object. Distinguish from sense 1, where the stiffener is a physical insert you can remove or replace.

常見錯誤

❌The engineer installed a stiffener under the bridge deck.
✅The engineer installed a reinforcement rib under the bridge deck.
💡a fabric or paper stiffener is a treatment substance, not a structural support.

4. a worker whose job was to treat and size hats so they became firm and held the p

4.名詞C2
釋義

帽定型工

替帽子上漿、定尺寸並撐出形狀的工人

a worker whose job was to treat and size hats so they became firm and held the proper shape

例句

The museum label explained that a stiffener shaped felt hats in the workshop.

博物館的說明牌寫著，帽定型工會在工坊裡把毛氈帽塑形。

stiffener as historical hat trade job

In the old factory, the stiffener worked beside the men who cut the brims.

在那間老工廠裡，帽定型工在那些裁帽沿的工人旁邊工作。

同義詞
  • hatter

    broader word for a person who makes or sells hats, not this specific workshop role

  • finisher

    factory job title for someone doing final shaping or finishing work

文法句型

work as a stiffener

a stiffener in a hat factory

用法筆記

This is a historical trade term, mainly seen in old factory records, census documents, and writing about hat making. It names a production worker, not a person selling hats in a shop.

常見錯誤

❌The stiffener sold hats to tourists all afternoon.
✅The stiffener shaped and sized hats in the workshop.
💡the word names a worker in production, not a shop assistant.

5. a strong alcoholic drink taken to warm yourself up or steady your nerves before

5.名詞C2
釋義

提神酒

用來暖身或壯膽的一小杯烈酒

a strong alcoholic drink taken to warm yourself up or steady your nerves before something difficult

例句

Before the night crossing, the captain poured each sailor a stiffener from the bottle.

夜間渡海前，船長從瓶子裡倒了一杯提神酒給每個水手。

pour someone a stiffener

Nikos joked that he needed a stiffener before greeting the whole wedding party.

Nikos 開玩笑說，在去和整個婚宴賓客寒暄前，他得先來杯提神酒。

need a stiffener before a stressful event

同義詞
  • bracer

    closest traditional word for a drink taken to give energy or courage

  • shot

    neutral modern word for a small strong drink, without the same old-fashioned tone

  • nip

    small amount of strong alcohol, often informal or dialectal

文法句型

need a stiffener before [event]

take a stiffener

用法筆記

Usually refers to a quick strong drink rather than an ordinary drink with a meal. The tone is often old-fashioned or slightly humorous, and the drink is taken for courage or warmth.

常見錯誤

❌We ordered stiffeners with dinner.
✅He took a stiffener before dinner.
💡this sense usually means a quick strong drink for warmth or courage, not an ordinary meal drink.