petrified

adjective

pet·​ri·​fied ˈpe-trə-ˌfīd 

1

: converted into stone through a slow process of mineralization

petrified wood

a petrified forest

And at the Los Angeles County Museum of Natural History's annual dinosaur ball, about 800 patrons in black tie or gown waltz among the petrified remains of the once-glorious creatures.

—Sheldon Teitelbaum

2

: overwhelmingly fearful

was petrified of speaking in public

: rendered motionless or unable to act by fear

Charlie climbed onto the bed and tried to calm the three old people who were still petrified with fear. "Please don't be frightened," he said. "It's quite safe. And we're going to the most wonderful place in the world!"

—Roald Dahl

Winky's petrified brown eyes were visible through her fingers. She seemed too appalled to speak.

—J. K. Rowling

Examples of petrified in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Big concentrations of petrified wood can be easily seen along walking trails and roadside stops in the southern part of the park. —Tiffany Acosta, The Arizona Republic, 9 July 2024

In the Game of Thrones pilot, Daenerys Targaryen (Emilia Clarke) is presented with a trio of petrified dragon eggs as a wedding gift in Pentos. —James Hibberd, The Hollywood Reporter, 1 July 2024

The Past Massive fossil find in California includes mastodon, petrified forest Mastodons, rhinos, and even camels — all in the great state of California. —Big Think, 24 June 2024

Indeed, several of the thorniest and most effective scenes in this movie find Ruth bartering for heirlooms with the current occupant of Edek’s childhood apartment, a poor man who’s petrified that she’s come to reclaim the deed from him. —David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 13 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

from past participle of petrify

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1