[syn: inflexibility, rigidity, rigidness]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Rigidity \Ri*gid"i*ty\, n. [L. rigiditas: cf. F. rigidit['e].
See Rigid.]
1. The quality or state of being rigid; want of pliability;
the quality of resisting change of form; the amount of
resistance with which a body opposes change of form; --
opposed to flexibility, ductility, malleability, and
softness.
[1913 Webster]
2. Stiffness of appearance or manner; want of ease or
elegance. --Sir H. Wotton.
[1913 Webster]
3. Severity; rigor. [Obs. orR.] --Bp. Burnet.
[1913 Webster]
Syn: Stiffness; rigidness; inflexibility.
[1913 Webster]
WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):
rigidity
n 1: the physical property of being stiff and resisting bending
[syn: rigidity, rigidness]
2: the quality of being rigid and rigorously severe [syn:
inflexibility, rigidity, rigidness] [ant:
flexibility, flexibleness]