calcification

1 of 2

noun

cal·​ci·​fi·​ca·​tion ˌkal-sə-fə-ˈkā-shən 

1

: impregnation with calcareous matter: as

a

: deposition of calcium salts within the matrix of cartilage often as the preliminary step in the formation of bone compare ossification sense 1a

b

: abnormal deposition of calcium salts within soft tissue often causing thickening or hardening

2

: a calcified structure or part

also : an abnormal deposit of calcium salts

arterial calcifications

calcify

2 of 2

verb

cal·​ci·​fy ˈkal-sə-ˌfī 

calcified; calcifying

transitive verb

: to make calcareous by deposit of calcium salts

intransitive verb

: to become calcareous

Did you know?

What is the difference between ossify and calcify?

Medically speaking, ossify refers to the process by which bone forms, or by which tissue (usually cartilage) changes into bone. Ossification is a natural process that starts in utero and which comprises several different steps—one of which is the deposit of calcium salts, also known as calcification. Calcify, however, only refers to the deposit of calcium salts in soft tissue and is not synonymous with ossify. Ossification creates bone tissue, which is more than simply a deposit of calcium salts.

Both ossify and calcify have gained more general uses as well. Calcify refers to hardening, to becoming inflexible and unable to change:

What were once upstart revisionist currents calcified into self-regarding academic sub-specialties, sponsoring plenty of analysis but little fundamental debate.
— Sean Wilentz, The New Republic, 2 July 2001

Ossify refers to becoming inflexible, conventional, and resistant to change:

For these writers, the ossified ideologies of the world, imbedded in the communal imagination, block vision, and as artists they respond not by criticism from without but by confrontation from within.
—Robert Coover, The New York Times Book Review, 18 Mar. 1984

While ossify generally has a slightly more disparaging connotation to it than calcify does in general uses, our evidence shows that the two words are beginning to merge semantically.