Rigidify

To make or become rigid; to cause something to lose its flexibility and become stiff or inflexible. This process can apply to physical objects, abstract concepts, or even social structures. Rigidification often involves a hardening or setting of the material or structure in question, hindering its ability to bend, adapt, or change. It can be a deliberate action, such as hardening plastic, or a natural process, such as the cooling of lava. The extent to which a subject is rigidified can often correlate with a loss of freedom and utility, but can also be used to provide support or protection.

Rigidify meaning with examples

• The sculptor carefully controlled the temperature to slowly rigidify the molten bronze, ensuring the intricate details of the statue were preserved. This precise process took patience and skill and ensured that the statue would be a lasting art piece and memorial.
• Over time, the company's bureaucratic processes began to rigidify, making it slow to respond to market changes and inhibiting innovation, resulting in lower profits in the long run.
• After the accident, the injured limb began to rigidify and would require significant physical therapy to regain its range of motion.
• The extreme cold caused the previously flexible ropes to rigidify, making them difficult to handle and hindering the rescue efforts on the mountain.
• The legal system risks **rigidifying** its interpretation of outdated laws without considering current social changes, and the need to change with the times.