petrified
|pet-ri-fied|
B2
🇺🇸
/ˈpɛtrɪˌfaɪd/
🇬🇧
/ˈpɛtrɪfaɪd/
(petrify)
frozen in fear
Etymology
Etymology Information
'petrified' originates from the Latin word 'petrificare', where 'petra' meant 'rock' and 'facere' meant 'to make'.
Historical Evolution
'petrificare' transformed into the Old French word 'petrifier', and eventually became the modern English word 'petrify'.
Meaning Changes
Initially, it meant 'to turn into stone', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'to be extremely frightened'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Verb 1
past tense or past participle form of 'petrify'.
The sight petrified him.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Adjective 1
so frightened that one is unable to move; terrified.
She was petrified of the dark.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Idioms
Last updated: 2025/01/11 11:35