petrify
gb/pˈɛtɹəfˌaɪ/ us/pˈɛtɹəfˌaɪ/
C1
Inglese
megbénít, ledermeszt, megkövesedik, megkövesít, megmerevít, megmerevedik, megdermed, megkeményedik
VERBO
C1
1
megbénít
B2
ledermeszt
C1
Schema d'uso:
[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.
Esempi per chi studia
The loud thunder petrified me.
A hangos mennydörgés teljesen ledermesztett.
She was petrified of snakes.
Rettegett a kígyóktól.
Errore comune:
Learners sometimes use *petrify* for mild fear; it usually means very strong fear.
Significato
frighten so much they freeze
Collocazioni
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
Sinonimi
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.)
Contrari
calm (Makes someone less afraid or less tense.)
|
reassure (Reduces fear by giving confidence or comfort.)
Temi
emotions
|fear
|communication
Definizione
To make someone extremely afraid so they freeze.
To frighten someone so much that they cannot move, speak, or think clearly for a moment.
VERBO
C2
TECHNICAL
2
megkövesedik
C1
megkövesít
C2
Schema d'uso:
[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.
Esempi per chi studia
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.
Errore comune:
Do not confuse with *purify* or *petrify* meaning ‘frighten’.
Significato
turn into stone over time
Collocazioni
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
Sinonimi
fossilize (Broader term; can include other fossil processes besides turning to stone.)
|
mineralize (More technical; emphasizes minerals replacing original material.)
Contrari
decompose (Break down rather than being preserved as stone.)
|
decay (General rotting process instead of preservation.)
Temi
nature
|science
|geology
Definizione
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.
VERBO
C2
FORMAL
3
megmerevít
B2
megmerevedik
B2
Schema d'uso:
[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.
Esempi per chi studia
Bad rules can petrify an organization.
A rossz szabályok megmerevíthetnek egy szervezetet.
His ideas petrified over time.
Az elképzelései idővel megmerevedtek.
Errore comune:
This sense is figurative and more formal; for people’s bodies use *stiffen* or *freeze* instead.
Significato
make rigid and unchanging
Collocazioni
petrified bureaucracy
|petrified traditions
|petrified attitudes
|petrified rules
|petrified hierarchy
|petrify into routine
|petrify innovation
|petrified mindset
|petrify a system
|petrify progress
Sinonimi
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.)
Contrari
modernize (Update to fit current needs; opposite of becoming stuck.)
|
revitalize (Bring new energy and change.)
|
soften (Become less strict or rigid.)
Temi
society
|business
|education
Definizione
To make something fixed and unable to change.
To make something such as attitudes, rules, or organizations rigid and resistant to change.
VERBO
C2
LITERARY
4
megdermed
B2
Schema d'uso:
[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.
Esempi per chi studia
My hands petrified in the cold.
A kezem megdermedt a hidegben.
The sauce petrified after it cooled.
A szósz megdermedt, miután kihűlt.
Errore comune:
In everyday English, people more often say *stiffen*, *freeze*, or *solidify*.
Significato
become stiff or solid
Collocazioni
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
Sinonimi
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.)
Contrari
loosen (Become less tight or less stiff.)
|
melt (Change from solid to liquid.)
|
soften (Become less hard or less rigid.)
Temi
daily_life
|nature
Definizione
To become stiff or hard.
To become stiff, rigid, or solid, especially after being flexible or active.
Grammatica
Forma base
petrify
IPA
GB/pˈɛtɹəfˌaɪ/
US/pˈɛtɹəfˌaɪ/
Sillabe e accento
pet - ri - fy (3 sillabe)
Stress on 1st syllable (pet)
Forme flesse
Verb
- Base: petrify
- 3rd Person Singular: petrifies
- Present Participle: petrifying
- Past: petrified
Famiglia di parole
Forms
petrifies
verb
petrifying
verb
petrified
verb
Advanced or less common
petrification
noun
Espressioni
be petrified of
1/bˈi pˈɛtɹəfˌaɪd əv/
fixed phrase
be extremely afraid of
To be very, very scared of something.
Esempi
- He’s petrified of flying.
- I was petrified of telling her the truth.
- She’s petrified of dogs after being bitten once.
Esempi per chi studia
- I am petrified of spiders.
- He is petrified of heights.
be petrified that
1/bˈi pˈɛtɹəfˌaɪd ðˈæt/
fixed phrase
be extremely afraid that
To be very scared that something will happen.
Esempi
- I’m petrified that I’ll fail the exam.
- She was petrified that the baby would wake up.
- They’re petrified that the company will shut down.
Esempi per chi studia
- I am petrified that I will be late.
- She is petrified that he is hurt.
petrified forest
1/pˈɛtɹəfˌaɪd fˈɔɹɪst/
fixed phrase
area with petrified trees
A place with many trees that turned to stone.
Esempi
- We visited a petrified forest during our road trip.
- The guide explained how the petrified forest formed after a volcanic eruption.
- Photos from the petrified forest show colorful mineral patterns in the logs.
Esempi per chi studia
- We visited a petrified forest.
- The petrified forest is very old.
petrified with fear
1/pˈɛtɹəfˌaɪd wˈɪθ fˈɪɹ/
fixed phrase
frozen because of fear
So scared you cannot move.
Esempi
- He stood petrified with fear as the dog charged.
- I was petrified with fear when the lights went out.
- She was petrified with fear and couldn’t speak.
Esempi per chi studia
- I was petrified with fear.
- He was petrified with fear.
petrified wood
1/pˈɛtɹəfˌaɪd wˈʊd/
fixed phrase
wood turned into stone
Wood that became stone over a long time.
Esempi
- They found a piece of petrified wood near the canyon.
- The shop sells polished petrified wood as souvenirs.
- The trail passes an area full of petrified wood fragments.
Esempi per chi studia
- This is petrified wood.
- We saw petrified wood in the park.