petrified etymology

Etymology:

• Petrified is derived from the Latin word "petrificare," which means "to turn into stone."
• The root word "petro" comes from the Greek word "petra," meaning "rock" or "stone."

Meaning:

• Petrified means turned into stone by the process of petrification.
• In a broader sense, it can also mean deeply frightened or paralyzed with fear.

Origin:

The origin of the word "petrified" can be traced back to the 14th century. It was first used to describe the process of fossilization, in which organic matter gradually turns into stone over millions of years. This sense of the word is still in use today in the fields of geology and paleontology.

Later, the word "petrified" began to be used metaphorically to describe someone who is paralyzed with fear. This usage is thought to have originated from the idea that fear can feel like being frozen or turned into stone. By the 16th century, the word was being commonly used in both its literal and figurative senses.

petrified relate terms

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