/ ˈɒsɪfaɪ; NAmE ˈɑːs-/ verb [ usually passive ] ( os·si·fies , os·si·fy·ing , os·si·fied , os·si·fied ) ( formal , disapproving )
1.
to become or make sth fixed and unable to change :
[ vn ]
an ossified political system
[also v ]
2.
[ vn ] ( technical ) to become or make sth hard like bone
► os·si·fi·ca·tion noun [ U ] ( formal )
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WORD ORIGIN
early 18th cent.: from French ossifier , from Latin os , oss- bone.