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petrify

pet·ri·fy

petrify

 
 
pronunciation:
pe tr faI
features:
Word Combinations (verb), Word Parts
part of speech: verb
inflections: petrifies, petrifying, petrified
definition 1: to turn into stone. Minerals left behind by water petrify wood by replacing woods cells when they die.
These pieces of petrified wood are made almost entirely of quartz crystal.
 
similar words:
deaden, freeze, harden, numb
definition 2: to make unable to act or move from terror.
That monster movie really petrified me.
similar words:
astonish, astound, daze, frighten, paralyze, stun, terrify
Word CombinationsSubscriber feature About this feature
derivations: petrifiable (adj.), petrified (adj.), petrifaction (n.), petrification (n.)
Word PartsSubscriber feature About this feature