Schemat użycia:
[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.
Przykłady dla uczących się
The loud thunder petrified me.
A hangos mennydörgés teljesen ledermesztett.
She was petrified of snakes.
Rettegett a kígyóktól.
Częsty błąd:
Learners sometimes use *petrify* for mild fear; it usually means very strong fear.
Znaczenie
frighten so much they freeze
Kolokacje
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
Synonimy
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.)
Antonimy
calm (Makes someone less afraid or less tense.)
|
reassure (Reduces fear by giving confidence or comfort.)
Tematy
emotions
|fear
|communication
Definicja
To make someone extremely afraid so they freeze.
To frighten someone so much that they cannot move, speak, or think clearly for a moment.
Schemat użycia:
[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.
Przykłady dla uczących się
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.
Częsty błąd:
Do not confuse with *purify* or *petrify* meaning ‘frighten’.
Znaczenie
turn into stone over time
Kolokacje
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
Synonimy
fossilize (Broader term; can include other fossil processes besides turning to stone.)
|
mineralize (More technical; emphasizes minerals replacing original material.)
Antonimy
decompose (Break down rather than being preserved as stone.)
|
decay (General rotting process instead of preservation.)
Tematy
nature
|science
|geology
Definicja
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.
Schemat użycia:
[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.
Przykłady dla uczących się
Bad rules can petrify an organization.
A rossz szabályok megmerevíthetnek egy szervezetet.
His ideas petrified over time.
Az elképzelései idővel megmerevedtek.
Częsty błąd:
This sense is figurative and more formal; for people’s bodies use *stiffen* or *freeze* instead.
Znaczenie
make rigid and unchanging
Kolokacje
petrified bureaucracy
|petrified traditions
|petrified attitudes
|petrified rules
|petrified hierarchy
|petrify into routine
|petrify innovation
|petrified mindset
|petrify a system
|petrify progress
Synonimy
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.)
Antonimy
modernize (Update to fit current needs; opposite of becoming stuck.)
|
revitalize (Bring new energy and change.)
|
soften (Become less strict or rigid.)
Tematy
society
|business
|education
Definicja
To make something fixed and unable to change.
To make something such as attitudes, rules, or organizations rigid and resistant to change.
Schemat użycia:
[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.
Przykłady dla uczących się
My hands petrified in the cold.
A kezem megdermedt a hidegben.
The sauce petrified after it cooled.
A szósz megdermedt, miután kihűlt.
Częsty błąd:
In everyday English, people more often say *stiffen*, *freeze*, or *solidify*.
Znaczenie
become stiff or solid
Kolokacje
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
Synonimy
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.)
Antonimy
loosen (Become less tight or less stiff.)
|
melt (Change from solid to liquid.)
|
soften (Become less hard or less rigid.)
Tematy
daily_life
|nature
Definicja
To become stiff or hard.
To become stiff, rigid, or solid, especially after being flexible or active.