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petrify
[ pe-truh-fahy ]
verb (used with object)
- to convert into stone or a stony substance.
- to benumb or paralyze with astonishment, horror, or other strong emotion:
I was petrified with fear.
Synonyms: daze, dumbfound, immobilize
The tragedy in his life petrified his emotions.
verb (used without object)
- to become petrified.
petrify
/ ˈpɛtrɪˌfaɪ /
verb
- 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
- ˈpetriˌfier, noun
Other Words From
- pet·ri·fi·a·ble adjective
- pe·trif·i·cant [pi-, trif, -i-k, uh, nt], adjective
- pet·ri·fi·er noun
- un·pet·ri·fy·ing adjective
Word History and Origins
Word History and Origins
Origin of petrify1
Example Sentences
They are naturally petrifying 50,000 to 100,000 tons of CO2 per year, Kelemen believes.
The Cincinnati Bengals should petrify the top-seeded Tennessee Titans.
The fact that Feynman came forward to confront me after the talk was something that probably would have petrified many scientists.
I didn't possess the capacity to petrify, which is absolutely indispensable in an academic man.
She had seemed to grow rooted to the ground, unable to get away; her heart, her breathing, seemed to petrify too; they hurt her.
E that would shine, and petrify his tutor,Should drink draught Allsopp in its "native pewter."
Their concepts petrify from lack of use and the constant reconstruction which growth necessitates.
Among ourselves worship would petrify and faith wither were it not for the tasks the church has undertaken at home and abroad.
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