Verstijfd

Verstijfd is a Dutch word that translates to stiffened or rigid in English. It is commonly used to describe a physical state of immobility or resistance to movement. This can occur due to various reasons, including muscle tension, cold, fear, or rigor mortis after death.

In a physiological context, verstijfd can refer to the hardening of muscles. This can be a voluntary action, such as tensing one's muscles in anticipation of an impact, or an involuntary reaction to stimuli like extreme cold or fright. When muscles become verstijfd, they contract and become less pliable, making movement difficult or impossible.

The term can also be used metaphorically to describe a person's emotional or mental state. Someone who is verstijfd might be unable to react or express themselves due to shock, fear, or an unwillingness to change. This metaphorical usage implies a lack of flexibility or adaptability in thought or behavior.

In the context of food, verstijfd can describe the process of starch gelatinization followed by retrogradation, where cooked starches cool and become firm and less digestible. This is often observed in cooked rice or potatoes that have been left to cool. The texture changes from soft and moist to firm and somewhat crumbly.