petrifaction

[ pe-truh-fak-shuh n ]
/ ˌpɛ trəˈfæk ʃən /

noun

the act or process of petrifying; the state of being petrified.
something petrified.
Also pet·ri·fi·ca·tion [pe-truh-fi-key-shuh n] /ˌpɛ trə fɪˈkeɪ ʃən/.

Origin of petrifaction

1640–50; petri- + -faction < Latin factiōn- (stem of factiō) a making. See petrify, faction1

OTHER WORDS FROM petrifaction

pet·ri·fac·tive, adjective

Example sentences from the Web for petrification

British Dictionary definitions for petrification

petrifaction

petrification (ˌpɛtrɪfɪˈkeɪʃən)

/ (ˌpɛtrɪˈfækʃən) /

noun

the act or process of forming petrified organic material
the state of being petrified

Medical definitions for petrification

petrifaction
[ pĕt′rə-făkshən ]

n.

A process of fossilization in which dissolved minerals replace organic matter.

Scientific definitions for petrification

petrifaction
[ pĕt′rə-făkshən ]

The process by which organic materials are turned into rock. Petrifaction occurs when water that is rich with inorganic minerals, such as calcium carbonate or silica, passes slowly through organic matter, such as wood or bone, replacing its cellular structure with minerals.