petrification
See also: pétrification
English edit
Etymology edit
From French pétrification, from Middle French pétrifier + -ation.
Pronunciation edit
Noun edit
petrification (countable and uncountable, plural petrifications)
- Turning to stone: the process of replacement of the organic residues of plants (and animals) with insoluble salts, with the original shape and topography being retained.
- (figurative) obduracy; callousness.
- 1681, Henry Hallywell, Melampronoea:
- a Petrification or Mortification of the Mind
- (figurative) Sheer terror; great fright.
Synonyms edit
Related terms edit
Translations edit
process of replacing the organic residues with insoluble salts
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