rə̇ˈjidəd.ē, -idətē, -i noun
( -es )
Etymology: Latin rigiditas, from rigidus rigid + -itas -ity — more at rigid
1. : the quality or state of being rigid: as
a. : the quality or state of resisting change of form : want of pliability : hardness
the rigidity of armor — V.H.S.Mercier
that perfect state of flux between rigidity and liquefaction — C.J.Phillips
the distinctions … had lost much of their rigidity — Douglas Bush
wage rigidity
emotional rigidity
b. : stiffness of appearance, manner, opinion, or conduct
there had come into his face a rigidity — John Galsworthy
c. : abnormal stiffness of muscle (as over a site of inflammation or from systemic disease)
rigidity of abdominal wall in peritonitis
nuchal rigidity
d. : the quality or state of being strict or severe : harshness , inflexibility
e. : the quality or state of being fixed in position — used especially of a movable object
2. : an instance of being rigid : someone or something that is rigid (as in form or conduct)
the rigidities of small-town life — Times Literary Supplement
create rigidities in the economic system — H.G.Johnson
new rigidities of thought — C.J.Rolo
3. : the amount of resistance of a body to change of form
4. or rigidity modulus : shear modulus