petrifaction
Becoming solid rock
Petrifaction is the process of turning to stone, or the state of having been turned to stone.
In geology, organic matter undergoes petrifaction when minerals gradually replace its original substance, preserving form while transforming material: The petrifaction of the ancient forest took millions of years.
Figuratively, petrifaction describes being paralyzed by fear or shock—frozen as if turned to stone: She watched in petrifaction as the car spun toward her.
Extreme, overwhelming fear
- paralysisLoss of muscle function
- horrorExtreme fear or disgust
- dreadIntense anticipatory fear
- shockViolent sudden disturbance
frozen · petrified · aghast · horrified · stupefied · transfixed · rooted · immobilized
Preserved ancient organism traces
- paleontologyStudy of ancient organisms
- amberHardened ancient tree secretion
- trilobiteExtinct segmented marine arthropod
- sedimentParticles settling in liquid
imprints · limestone · shale · dinosaurs · Jurassic · Cretaceous · paleobotany · paleoecology
Conversion to bone tissue
- calcificationMineral hardening of tissue
- rigidityState of being unbending
- inflexibilityQuality of being unbending
- stuckUnable to move
unchanging · hidebound · dogmatic · entrenched · fixed mindset · inertia · immobility · traditionalism
Conversion to mineral form
- calcificationMineral hardening of tissue
- solidificationTransition to firm state
- crystallizationForming ordered solid structure
- indurationAbnormal tissue firmness
cementation · vitrification · calcite · calcium · calcium deposits
Resistance to deformation
- inflexibilityQuality of being unbending
- brittlenessProne to snapping
- solidityFirmness of structure
- hardnessResistance to penetration
unyielding · immovable · fixed · stonelike · rock-hard · indurated · dense · compact
Preserving bodies after death
- embalmingPreserving dead bodies chemically
- taxidermyPreserving animal skins lifelike
- conservationPreventing waste or loss
- silica gelMoisture-absorbing granular material
formaldehyde · plastination · desiccation · encasement · specimen · entombment · encrustation · time capsule
terror
Extreme, overwhelming fear
shock · frozen · petrified · aghast · horrified · stupefied · transfixed · rooted · immobilized · spellbound
fossils
Preserved ancient organism traces
- paleontologyStudy of ancient organisms
- amberHardened ancient tree secretion
- trilobiteExtinct segmented marine arthropod
sediment · imprints · limestone · shale · dinosaurs · Jurassic · Cretaceous · paleobotany · paleoecology · geology
ossification
Conversion to bone tissue
- calcificationMineral hardening of tissue
- rigidityState of being unbending
- inflexibilityQuality of being unbending
stuck · unchanging · hidebound · dogmatic · entrenched · fixed mindset · inertia · immobility · traditionalism
mineralization
Conversion to mineral form
- calcificationMineral hardening of tissue
- solidificationTransition to firm state
- crystallizationForming ordered solid structure
induration · cementation · vitrification · calcite · calcium · calcium deposits
stiffness
Resistance to deformation
- inflexibilityQuality of being unbending
- brittlenessProne to snapping
- solidityFirmness of structure
hardness · unyielding · immovable · fixed · stonelike · rock-hard · indurated · dense · compact · impenetrable
mummification
Preserving bodies after death
- embalmingPreserving dead bodies chemically
- taxidermyPreserving animal skins lifelike
- conservationPreventing waste or loss
silica gel · formaldehyde · plastination · desiccation · encasement · specimen · entombment · encrustation · time capsule
- hardeninghardening, stiffening, solidification, solidifying, rigidifying
- diagenesiscementation, compaction, recrystallization, cement, concretion
petrifactiondecay
Gradual organic breakdown
decomposition · rot · putrefaction · biodegradation · disintegration
petrifactionanimation
Technique creating movement illusion
vivification · invigoration · galvanization · mobilization · activation
petrifactionliquefaction
Conversion to liquid state
softening · melting · fluidization · flexibility · pliability
petrify, petroleum, petrifying, fossilization, petrification, saltpeter