lignify

[ lig-nuh-fahy ]

verb (used with object)

, lig·ni·fied, lig·ni·fy·ing.

1. to convert into wood; cause to become woody.

verb (used without object)

, lig·ni·fied, lig·ni·fy·ing.

1. to become wood or woody.

lignify

/ ˈlɪɡnɪˌfaɪ /

verb

1. botany to make or become woody as a result of the deposition of lignin in the cell walls

lignify

/ lĭg′nə-fī′ /

1. To make or become stiffer and stronger by the deposition of lignin.

Derived Forms

• ˌlignifiˈcation, noun

Other Words From

• ligni·fi·cation noun
• un·ligni·fied adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of lignify¹

First recorded in 1820–30; ligni- + -fy

Example Sentences

Wood fiber proper has much thickened lignified walls and no pits, and its main function is mechanical support.

From Project Gutenberg

In the north where the warm season is not long enough to allow the autumn sprout to lignify sufficiently for bearing the rigors of winter it is killed.

From Project Gutenberg

Late summer grafting is not practical because the scions which make a start do not lignify their new shoots sufficiently to withstand the winter cold.

From Project Gutenberg

If one waited until the buds were developed the tissue at the base of the cutting was too highly lignified for root formation.

From Project Gutenberg

The terminal leaves on scions seemed to conduct repair up to a point where lignifying for the winter is now going on.

From Project Gutenberg