petrifaction

noun

pet·​ri·​fac·​tion ˌpe-trə-ˈfak-shən 

1

: the process of petrifying

2

: something petrified

3

: the quality or state of being petrified

Word History

Etymology

Middle English petrifaccioun, borrowed (with conformation to nouns ending in -faccio(u)n, such as liquefaccion liquefaction) from Medieval Latin petrificātiōn-, petrificātiō, from petrificāre "to turn into stone, petrify" + Latin -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

petrifaction

noun

pet·​ri·​fac·​tion ˌpe-trə-ˈfak-shən 

1

: the process of petrifying or state of being petrified

2

: something that is petrified

Medical Definition

petrifaction

noun

pet·​ri·​fac·​tion ˌpe-trə-ˈfak-shən 

1

: the process of petrifying

calcification or petrifaction of tissue

2

: something petrified

3

: the quality or state of being petrified