petrific

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English

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Etymology

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From post-classical Latin petrificus (13th c.), from petra (“rock, stone”).

Adjective

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petrific (comparative more petrific, superlative most petrific)

  1. (now rare) Petrifying, turning into stone; petrifactive. [from 17th c.]
    • 1667, John Milton, “Book IX”, in Paradise Lost. […], London: […] [Samuel Simmons], and are to be sold by Peter Parker […]; [a]nd by Robert Boulter […]; [a]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.
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