calcifying
Turning to stone
Calcifying means becoming calcium-hardite or calcium deposits.
Arteries calcify with age, losing flexibility as calcium accumulates in their walls.
Calcifying can also describe deliberate hardening: Theite forming calcifying tissue.
Figuratively, attitudes or institutions that calcify become rigid and resistant to change: calcifying bureaucracies, His opinions were calcifying into dogma.
Fossilize or paralyze utterly
- fossilizeTurn to mineral remains
- replacePut something else there
- preserveProtect from loss
- organicFrom living matter
remains · sedimentary · specimen · paleontology · silicify · wood · bone · shell
Conversion to bone tissue
- osteoblastBone-forming cell
- skeletonInternal supportive framework
- cartilageFlexible connective body tissue
- osteocyteBone-maintaining cell in matrix
periosteum · chondrocyte · ectopic · orthopedic · remodeling · collagen · joint · tendon
Crystalline calcium carbonate
- aragoniteCalcium carbonate crystal form
- limestoneCarbonate sedimentary rock
- chalkSoft sedimentary writing stone
- precipitateHeadlong and reckless
crystallize · deposit · sediment · stalactite · stalagmite · travertine · tufa · coral
Morbid tissue hardening
- arteriosclerosisThickened, stiffened vessel walls
- atherosclerosisArterial plaque accumulation disease
- indurationAbnormal tissue firmness
- stiffeningBecoming less pliable
solidifying · rigidifying · consolidation · thickening · plaque · arterial · vascular · fibrosis
petrify
Fossilize or paralyze utterly
organic · remains · sedimentary · specimen · paleontology · silicify · wood · bone · shell · imprint
ossification
Conversion to bone tissue
- osteoblastBone-forming cell
- skeletonInternal supportive framework
- cartilageFlexible connective body tissue
osteocyte · periosteum · chondrocyte · ectopic · orthopedic · remodeling · collagen · joint · tendon · ligament
calcite
Crystalline calcium carbonate
- aragoniteCalcium carbonate crystal form
- limestoneCarbonate sedimentary rock
- chalkSoft sedimentary writing stone
precipitate · crystallize · deposit · sediment · stalactite · stalagmite · travertine · tufa · coral · shell
sclerosis
Morbid tissue hardening
- arteriosclerosisThickened, stiffened vessel walls
- atherosclerosisArterial plaque accumulation disease
- indurationAbnormal tissue firmness
stiffening · solidifying · rigidifying · consolidation · thickening · plaque · arterial · vascular · fibrosis · stenosis
- hardeninghardening, stiffening, solidification, solidifying, rigidifying
calcifyingdecalcifying
Removing calcium mineral buildup
demineralizing · dissolving · leaching · eroding · resorbing
calcifyingsoftening
Becoming less firm
liquefying · dissolving · decomposing · degrading · breaking down
calcifyingloosening
Reducing tightness or tension
liberalizing · opening up · softening · evolving · adapting