תבנית שימוש:
[something/someone] petrifies [someone]
The sudden crash outside petrified everyone in the room.
A kinti hirtelen csattanás mindenkit megbénított a szobában.
I was petrified when I realized I'd lost my passport.
Halálra rémültem, amikor rájöttem, hogy elvesztettem az útlevelemet.
Her father’s silence petrified her more than his anger.
דוגמאות ללומדים
The loud thunder petrified me.
A hangos mennydörgés teljesen ledermesztett.
She was petrified of snakes.
Rettegett a kígyóktól.
טעות נפוצה:
Learners sometimes use *petrify* for mild fear; it usually means very strong fear.
משמעות
frighten so much they freeze
צירופים
petrify someone
|be petrified
|petrified with fear
|petrified of spiders
|petrified that
|petrified by the noise
|petrified into silence
|absolutely petrified
|petrifying thought
|petrifying scream
מילים נרדפות
terrify (More common and direct; same strength.)
|
paralyze (Emphasizes being unable to act, often figurative.)
|
scare stiff (Informal phrase with a similar idea of freezing.)
הפכים
calm (Makes someone less afraid or less tense.)
|
reassure (Reduces fear by giving confidence or comfort.)
נושאים
emotions
|fear
|communication
הגדרה
To make someone extremely afraid so they freeze.
To frighten someone so much that they cannot move, speak, or think clearly for a moment.
תבנית שימוש:
[material] petrifies; [something] petrifies [material]
Over time, the fallen trees petrified and became stone-like logs.
Idővel a kidőlt fák megkövesedtek, és kőszerű rönkökké váltak.
The conditions in the riverbed helped petrify the ancient wood.
A folyómeder körülményei elősegítették, hogy az ősi fa megkövesedjen.
The museum displays branches that have petrified over millions of years.
דוגמאות ללומדים
Wood can petrify and become stone.
A fa megkövesedhet, és kővé válhat.
This log petrified a long time ago.
Ez a fatörzs nagyon régen megkövesedett.
טעות נפוצה:
Do not confuse with *purify* or *petrify* meaning ‘frighten’.
משמעות
turn into stone over time
צירופים
petrified wood
|petrified forest
|petrified tree trunks
|petrify over millions of years
|petrify organic matter
|petrified remains
|petrified logs
|partly petrified
|completely petrified
|petrification process
מילים נרדפות
fossilize (Broader term; can include other fossil processes besides turning to stone.)
|
mineralize (More technical; emphasizes minerals replacing original material.)
הפכים
decompose (Break down rather than being preserved as stone.)
|
decay (General rotting process instead of preservation.)
נושאים
nature
|science
|geology
הגדרה
To become stone (or to make something become stone) naturally over time.
To change (especially wood or other organic material) into stone through natural mineral processes over a long period.
תבנית שימוש:
[something] petrifies [system/attitude/practice]
Years of success had petrified the company’s thinking.
Az évekig tartó siker megmerevítette a cég gondolkodását.
Fear of criticism can petrify creativity.
A kritikától való félelem megmerevítheti a kreativitást.
The new policy petrified old habits instead of encouraging change.
דוגמאות ללומדים
Bad rules can petrify an organization.
A rossz szabályok megmerevíthetnek egy szervezetet.
His ideas petrified over time.
Az elképzelései idővel megmerevedtek.
טעות נפוצה:
This sense is figurative and more formal; for people’s bodies use *stiffen* or *freeze* instead.
משמעות
make rigid and unchanging
צירופים
petrified bureaucracy
|petrified traditions
|petrified attitudes
|petrified rules
|petrified hierarchy
|petrify into routine
|petrify innovation
|petrified mindset
|petrify a system
|petrify progress
מילים נרדפות
ossify (Very close figurative meaning; often used for institutions or ideas.)
|
harden (More general; can be physical or figurative.)
|
entrench (Emphasizes becoming firmly established and difficult to change.)
הפכים
modernize (Update to fit current needs; opposite of becoming stuck.)
|
revitalize (Bring new energy and change.)
|
soften (Become less strict or rigid.)
נושאים
society
|business
|education
הגדרה
To make something fixed and unable to change.
To make something such as attitudes, rules, or organizations rigid and resistant to change.
תבנית שימוש:
[something] petrifies
In the cold wind, his fingers seemed to petrify.
A hideg szélben az ujjai mintha megdermedtek volna.
The mixture will petrify if you leave it uncovered.
A keverék megkeményedik, ha fedetlenül hagyod.
She felt her smile petrify as the conversation turned awkward.
דוגמאות ללומדים
My hands petrified in the cold.
A kezem megdermedt a hidegben.
The sauce petrified after it cooled.
A szósz megdermedt, miután kihűlt.
טעות נפוצה:
In everyday English, people more often say *stiffen*, *freeze*, or *solidify*.
משמעות
become stiff or solid
צירופים
hands petrified
|limbs petrified
|blood petrified
|petrify in the cold
|petrify into a crust
|petrified in place
|petrify suddenly
|petrify on contact
|petrify overnight
|petrify completely
מילים נרדפות
stiffen (Most common everyday alternative for bodies/materials becoming less flexible.)
|
solidify (Common for liquids becoming solid.)
|
freeze (Often used for cold or for stopping suddenly.)
הפכים
loosen (Become less tight or less stiff.)
|
melt (Change from solid to liquid.)
|
soften (Become less hard or less rigid.)
נושאים
daily_life
|nature
הגדרה
To become stiff or hard.
To become stiff, rigid, or solid, especially after being flexible or active.