petrific
English edit
Etymology edit
From post-classical Latin petrificus (13th c.), from petra (“rock, stone”).
Adjective edit
petrific (comparative more petrific, superlative most petrific)
- (now rare) Petrifying, turning into stone; petrifactive. [from 17th c.]
- 1667, John Milton, “Book IX”, in Paradise Lost. […], London: […] [Samuel Simmons], […], →OCLC; republished as Paradise Lost in Ten Books: […], London: Basil Montagu Pickering […], 1873, →OCLC:
- Death with his mace petrific, cold and dry.
- 1782, Frances Burney, Cecilia, III.vi.2:
- “Sir!” cried Mr. Delvile, with a look meant to be nothing less than petrific.