petrifactive

English

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˌpɛtɹɪˈfæktɪv/

Adjective

petrifactive (not comparable)

1. Having the quality of converting organic matter into stone; petrifying.
2. Pertaining to, or characterized by, petrifaction.

   petrifactive changes

   • 1650, Thomas Browne, “Of Unicorns Horn”, in Pseudodoxia Epidemica: […], 2nd edition, London: […] A[braham] Miller, for Edw[ard] Dod and Nath[aniel] Ekins, […], →OCLC, 3rd book, page 137:

     Hereof in ſubterraneous cavities, and under the earth there are many [objects resembling unicorns' horns] to be found in ſeverall parts of Germany; which are but the Lapideſcencies and petrifactive mutations of hard bodies; [...]

References

• “petrifactive”, in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: G. & C. Merriam, 1913, →OCLC.