Hello, you have come here looking for the meaning of the word
petrifaction. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
petrifaction, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
petrifaction in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
petrifaction you have here. The definition of the word
petrifaction will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
petrifaction, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
English
Noun
petrifaction (countable and uncountable, plural petrifactions)
- Petrification.
- An object that has become petrified.
1838, [Letitia Elizabeth] Landon (indicated as editor), chapter VII, in Duty and Inclination: , volume III, London: Henry Colburn, , →OCLC, page 75:An Indian cabinet, consisting of a small but choice collection of petrefactions and fossils, was placed in a recess at the bottom of the room; a few paintings and portraits from the pencil of the most eminent artists adorned the walls.
- The condition of being petrified.
1843 December 19, Charles Dickens, “Stave Three. The Second of the Three Spirits.”, in A Christmas Carol. In Prose. Being a Ghost Story of Christmas, London: Chapman & Hall, , →OCLC, page 77:The crisp leaves of holly, mistletoe, and ivy reflected back the light, as if so many little mirrors had been scattered there; and such a mighty blaze went roaring up the chimney, as that dull petrifaction of a hearth had never known in Scrooge's time, or Marley's, or for many and many a winter season gone.
Translations
condition of being petrified