petrification

See also: pétrification

English

Etymology

From French pétrification, from Middle French pétrifier + -ation

Pronunciation

IPA^(key): /ˌpetɹɪfɪˈkeɪʃən/

• Rhymes: -eɪʃən

Noun

petrification (countable and uncountable, plural petrifications)

1. the process of replacing the organic residues of plants (and animals) with insoluble salts, the original shape and topography being retained
2. (figuratively) obduracy; callousness

   (Can we find and add a quotation of Hallywell to this entry?)

Synonyms

• petrifaction

Related terms

• petrified forest
• petrified wood

Translations

process of replacing the organic residues with insoluble salts

• Dutch: verstening
• German: Versteinerung (de) f, Petrifikation f
• Occitan: petrificacion

• Polish: petryfikacja f
• Spanish: petrificación (es) f, silicatización