ossify

[ os-uh-fahy ]
/ ˈɒs əˌfaɪ /

verb (used with object), os·si·fied, os·si·fy·ing.

to convert into or cause to harden like bone.

verb (used without object), os·si·fied, os·si·fy·ing.

to become bone or harden like bone.
to become rigid or inflexible in habits, attitudes, opinions, etc.: a young man who began to ossify right after college.

Origin of ossify

1705–15; < Latin ossi- (stem of os) bone + -fy

OTHER WORDS FROM ossify

os·si·fi·er, noun un·os·si·fy·ing, adjective

Example sentences from the Web for ossify

British Dictionary definitions for ossify

ossify
/ (ˈɒsɪˌfaɪ) /

verb -fies, -fying or -fied

to convert or be converted into bone
(intr) (of habits, attitudes, etc) to become inflexible

Derived forms of ossify

ossifier, noun

Word Origin for ossify

C18: from French ossifier, from Latin os bone + facere to make

Medical definitions for ossify

ossify
[ ŏsə-fī′ ]

v.

To change into bone.