petrify
|pet-ri-fy|
B2
🇺🇸
/ˈpɛtrɪˌfaɪ/
🇬🇧
/ˈpɛtrɪfaɪ/
frozen in fear
Etymology
Etymology Information
'petrify' originates from Latin, specifically the 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 to also mean 'to paralyze with fear.'
Meanings by Part of Speech
Verb 1
to turn organic material into stone or a stony substance through a process of mineralization.
The wood was petrified over millions of years.
Synonyms
Idioms
Last updated: 2025/06/09 06:10