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petrifaction

   Also found in: Medical, Legal, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia, Hutchinson 0.02 sec.
pet·ri·fac·tion  (ptr-fkshn) also pet·ri·fi·ca·tion (-f-kshn)
n.
1. A process of fossilization in which dissolved minerals replace organic matter.
2. The state of being stunned or paralyzed with fear.

petrifaction [ˌpɛtrɪˈfækʃən], petrification [ˌpɛtrɪfɪˈkeɪʃən]
n
1. (Earth Sciences / Geological Science) the act or process of forming petrified organic material
2. the state of being petrified

petrifaction (ptr-fkshn) also petrification  (ptr-f-kshn)
The process by which organic materials are turned into rock. Petrifaction occurs when water that is rich with inorganic minerals, such as calcium carbonate or silica, passes slowly through organic matter, such as wood or bone, replacing its cellular structure with minerals.

petrification, petrifaction
Iapidification.
See also: Processes
lapidification.
See also: Stones
ThesaurusLegend:  Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
Noun1.petrifaction - the process of turning some plant material into stone by infiltration with water carrying mineral particles without changing the original shape
fossilisation, fossilization - the process of fossilizing a plant or animal that existed in some earlier age; the process of being turned to stone
2.petrifaction - a rock created by petrifaction; an organic object infiltrated with mineral matter and preserved in its original form
rock, stone - a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter; "he threw a rock at me"
Translations
petrifaction [ˌpetrɪˈfækʃən] petrification [ˌpetrɪfɪˈkeɪʃən] Npetrificación f
petrifaction, petrification
nVersteinerung f, → Petrifikation f


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? Mentioned in ? References in classic literature
 
No answering spark of kindness, no awakening penitence, but an unappeasable ill-humour, and a spirit of tyrannous exaction that increased with indulgence, and a lurking gleam of self-complacent triumph at every detection of relenting softness in my manner, that congealed me to marble again as often as it recurred; and this morning he finished the business:- I think the petrifaction is so completely effected at last that nothing can melt me again.
Here, too, the bride's aunt and next relation; a widowed female of a Medusa sort, in a stoney cap, glaring petrifaction at her fellow- creatures.
Esther, whose eyes had come alive and her cheeks flushed during these last words, relapsed in a second into a state of petrifaction.
 
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