petrification

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Related to petrifications: petrifaction, petrified

pet·ri·fac·tion

(pĕt′rə-făk′shən) also pet·ri·fi·ca·tion (-fĭ-kā′shən)

1. A process of fossilization in which dissolved minerals replace organic matter.

2. The state of being stunned or paralyzed with fear.

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

petrification, petrifaction

Iapidification.

See also: Stones

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Noun

petrification - the process of turning some plant material into stone by infiltration with water carrying mineral particles without changing the original shape

petrifaction

fossilisation, fossilization - the process of fossilizing a plant or animal that existed in some earlier age; the process of being turned to stone

Translations

Versteinerung

πέτρωμα

pétrification

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References in classic literature ?

"Well," he snarled, "I suppose I gotta give you cheap skates a drink when I ain't got more'n enough for a good petrification for myself."

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The crisp leaves of holly, mistletoe, and ivy reflected back the light, as if so many little mirrors had been scattered there; and such a mighty blaze went roaring up the chimney, as that dull petrification of a hearth had never known in Scrooge's time, or Marley's, or for many and many a winter season gone.

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On the maternal surface of all placentas there were blood clots, petrifications, focal hemorrhages and infarction zones located around the periphery of the placenta.