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English
Pronunciation
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Noun
petrifaction (countable and uncountable, plural petrifactions)
- Petrification.
- An object that has become petrified.
1838, 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