Where does “petrify” come from?
petrify (English) comes from Middle French pétrifier, from Medieval Latin petrificāre, from Latin petra, from Ancient Greek πέτρα — rock formation: cliff, ledge, cave, ridge; stone.
petrify (English): To harden organic matter by permeating with water...
Definitions
- To harden organic matter by permeating with water...
Ancestry of “petrify”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Middle French | pétrifier | — |
| 2 | Medieval Latin | petrificāre | — |
| 3 | Latin | petra | stone, rock |
| 4 | Ancient Greek | πέτρα | rock formation: cliff, ledge, cave, ridge; stone |