petrific

From Wiktionary, the free dictionary
Jump to navigation Jump to search

English

[edit]

Etymology

[edit]

From post-classical Latin petrificus (13th c.), from petra (rock, stone).

Adjective

[edit]

petrific (comparative more petrific, superlative most petrific)

  1. (now rare) Petrifying, turning into stone; petrifactive. [from 17th c.]
    • 1667, John Milton, “Book IX”, in Paradise Lost. [], London: [] [Samuel Simmons], and are to be sold by Peter Parker []; [a]nd by Robert Boulter []; [a]nd Matthias Walker, [], →OCLC; republished as Paradise Lost in Ten Books: [], London: Basil Montagu Pickering [], 1873, →OCLC:
      Death with his mace petrific, cold and dry.
    • 1782, Frances Burney, Cecilia, III.vi.2:
      “Sir!” cried Mr. Delvile, with a look meant to be nothing less than petrific.