petrified
UK: ˈpet.rɪ.faɪd | US: ˈpet.rə.faɪd
adj. 1. (of organic matter) turned into stone through mineralization; fossilized.
adj. 2. (of a person) so frightened that one is unable to move; terrified.
petrified = petr<stone> + i + fied<made into>
- petr (from Greek petra, meaning "rock" or "stone")
- i (a connecting vowel, often used in Latin-derived words)
- fied (from Latin -ficare, meaning "to make" or "to cause to become")
Etymology Origin:
The word petrified originates from the Greek petra (stone) combined with the Latin suffix -ficare (to make). It originally described the geological process of organic material turning into stone (fossilization). Over time, it evolved metaphorically to describe a person frozen in fear, as if "turned to stone." This dual meaning highlights the vivid imagery of immobility, whether literal (geological) or figurative (emotional).
The ancient tree was petrified over millions of years, becoming a stunning fossil.
She stood petrified at the sight of the ghostly figure in the hallway.
The archaeologists discovered a petrified forest in the desert.
His voice was petrified with fear when he heard the strange noise.
The horror movie left the audience petrified in their seats.