petrify
pronunciation
How to pronounce petrify in British English:
UK [ˈpetrɪfaɪ]
How to pronounce petrify in American English:
US [ˈpetrɪfaɪ]
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- Verb:
- cause to become stone-like or stiff or dazed and stunned
- change into stone
- make rigid and set into a conventional pattern
Word Origin
- petrify (v.)
- 1590s, from Middle French pétrifier "to make or become stone" (16c.), from Latin petra "rock, crag" (see petrous) + -ficare, from facere "to make, do" (see factitious). Metaphoric sense of "paralyze with fear or shock" first recorded 1771. Related: Petrified; petrifying.
Example
- 1. The fda 's warnings are the latest attempt by a government to nauseate and petrify its citizenry .
- 2. It is so deep-pocketed , in fact , that even if the purchase were to be blocked by shareholders or regulators , the west london firm would continue to petrify commercial rivals .