petrify
[ pe-truh-fahy ]
/ ˈpɛ trəˌfaɪ /
verb (used with object), pet·ri·fied, pet·ri·fy·ing.
to convert into stone or a stony substance.
to benumb or paralyze with astonishment, horror, or other strong emotion: I was petrified with fear.
to make rigid or inert; harden; deaden: The tragedy in his life petrified his emotions.
verb (used without object), pet·ri·fied, pet·ri·fy·ing.
to become petrified.
OTHER WORDS FROM petrify
Words nearby petrify
petrichor,
petrie,
petrifaction,
petrified forest,
petrified forest national park,
petrify,
petrillo,
petrine,
petrinism,
petro,
petro-
Example sentences from the Web for petrify
British Dictionary definitions for petrify
petrify
/ (ˈpɛtrɪˌfaɪ) /
verb -fies, -fying or -fied
(tr; often passive)
to convert (organic material, esp plant material) into a fossilized form by impregnation with dissolved minerals so that the original appearance is preserved
to make or become dull, unresponsive, insensitive, etc; deaden
(tr; often passive)
to stun or daze with horror, fear, etc
Derived forms of petrify
petrifier, nounWord Origin for petrify
C16: from French
pétrifier, ultimately from Greek
petra stone, rock