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Meaning of petrify
The primary meaning of the word "petrify" is to turn something or someone into stone, or to shock or frighten someone very much.
Etymology of petrify
The word "petrify" comes from the Latin words "petra," meaning stone or rock, and the suffix "-fy," which is a verb-forming suffix.
The word has been used in English since the 15th century to describe the process of turning something into stone, and its usage has expanded to include the figurative sense of shocking or frightening someone.
Synonyms
Definitions
- To turn something or someone into stone, typically as a result of a natural process.
- * To shock or frighten someone very much, typically so that they are unable to move or speak.
Usage Examples
- The tree was petrified over time, its wooden limbs now stone.
- * The news of the accident petrified her, and she was unable to speak for hours.