— petrifiable , adj. — petrificant /pi trif"i keuhnt/ , adj. — petrifier , n.
/pe"treuh fuy'/ , v. , petrified, petrifying .
v.t.
1. to convert into stone or a stony substance.
2. to benumb or paralyze with astonishment, horror, or other strong emotion: I was petrified with fear.
3. to make rigid or inert; harden; deaden: The tragedy in his life petrified his emotions.
v.i.
4. to become petrified.
[ 1585-95; petrifier. See PETRI-, -FY ]
Syn. 2. immobilize, dumbfound, daze.