Dictionary

petrifaction en · NOUN

Pronunciation

• (US) audio
• /ˌpɛ.tɹɪˈfæk.ʃən/

Meanings

1. (countable, uncountable) Petrification.
2. (countable, uncountable) An object that has become petrified.
   • An Indian cabinet, consisting of a small but choice collection of petrefactions and fossils, was placed in a recess at the bottom of the room; a few paintings and portraits from the pencil of the most eminent artists adorned the walls. 1838, [Letitia Elizabeth] Landon (indicated as editor), chapter VII, in Duty and Inclination: […], volume III, London: Henry Colburn, […], →OCLC, page 75:
3. (countable, uncountable) The condition of being petrified.
   • The crisp leaves of holly, mistletoe, and ivy reflected back the light, as if so many little mirrors had been scattered there; and such a mighty blaze went roaring up the chimney, as that dull petrifaction of a hearth had never known in Scrooge's time, or Marley's, or for many and many a winter season gone. 1843 December 19, Charles Dickens, “Stave Three. The Second of the Three Spirits.”, in A Christmas Carol. […], London: Chapman & Hall, […], →OCLC, page 77:

Forms

Translations (4)

bg вкаменяване (condition of being petrified) · de Versteinerung (condition of being petrified) · cy fferdod (condition of being petrified) · oc petrificacion (condition of being petrified)