"stubborn, obstinate," 1520s (in Tindale's rendition of Acts vii.51), from stiff (adj.) + neck (n.); translating Latin dura cervice in Vulgate, from Greek sklero trachelos, a literal translation from Hebrew qesheh 'oref.
a stiff-necked old Boston brahmin
stickum
stick-up
sticky
stiff
stiffen
stiff-necked
stiffness
stifle
stigma
stigmatic
stigmatism