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petrific. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
petrific, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
petrific in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
petrific you have here. The definition of the word
petrific will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
petrific, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
English
Etymology
From post-classical Latin petrificus (13th c.), from petra (“rock, stone”).
Adjective
petrific (comparative more petrific, superlative most petrific)
- (now rare) Petrifying, turning into stone; petrifactive.
1667, John Milton, “Book IX”, in Paradise Lost. , London: [Samuel Simmons], and are to be sold by Peter Parker ; nd by Robert Boulter ; nd Matthias Walker, , →OCLC; republished as Paradise Lost in Ten Books: , London: Basil Montagu Pickering , 1873, →OCLC:Death with his mace petrific, cold and dry.
1782, Frances Burney, Cecilia, III.vi.2:“Sir!” cried Mr. Delvile, with a look meant to be nothing less than petrific.