Petrified意思

"Petrified" is an English word that can be used in several contexts, but it primarily means "turned to stone" or "made of stone." It is often used to describe something that has been fossilized, especially wood or other organic material, over time due to the process of permineralization, where minerals replace the organic material, resulting in a stone-like structure.

Here are some examples of how "petrified" can be used:

1. Geological context: The ancient trees in the national park have been petrified for millions of years.

2. Describing a state of shock or fear: When she saw the accident, she was petrified with fear.

3. Referring to something that is immovable or rigid: The team's defense was petrified; they couldn't move an inch.

4. In a metaphorical sense: The old man's stories about his adventures left us all petrified, as if we were turned to stone by his words.

The word "petrified" comes from the Latin word "petrificus," meaning "made of stone," which is derived from "petra," meaning "stone," and "-fic-," meaning "to make."