v. (-ies, -ied)
1. tr. paralyse with fear, astonishment, etc.
2 tr. change (organic matter) into a stony substance.
3 intr. become like stone.
4 tr. deprive (the mind, a doctrine, etc.) of vitality; deaden.
Etymology: F p{eacute}trifier f. med.L petrificare f. L petra rock f. Gk