petrified
pronunciation
How to pronounce petrified in British English:
UK [ˈpetrɪfaɪd]
How to pronounce petrified in American English:
US [ ˈpetrɪfaɪd]
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- Adjective:
- converted into stone
- converted into a mineral
- so frightened as to be unable to move; stunned or paralyzed with terror
Word Origin
- petrified (adj.)
- 1660s, "turned to stone," past participle adjective from petrify (v.). Figurative meaning "paralyzed (with fright, etc.)" is from 1720.
Example
- 1. I was petrified when I heard a noise outside .
- 2. What does petrified redwood haveto do with a bloody puzzle ?
- 3. She was petrified with fear .
- 4. Indeed , they often act as a linguistic fossil record , preserving objects and behaviour that have long since fallen into petrified obsolescence .
- 5. She is absolutely petrified of snakes .