| English Dictionary |
PETRIFYING
| Pronunciation (US): |  | (GB): | |
Dictionary entry overview: What does petrifying mean?
• PETRIFYING (adjective)
The adjective PETRIFYING has 1 sense:
1. paralyzing with terror
Familiarity information: PETRIFYING used as an adjective is very rare.
Dictionary entry details
Sense 1
Meaning:
Paralyzing with terror
Similar:
alarming (frightening because of an awareness of danger)
Context examples
Some were condensing air into a dry tangible substance, by extracting the nitre, and letting the aqueous or fluid particles percolate; others softening marble, for pillows and pin-cushions; others petrifying the hoofs of a living horse, to preserve them from foundering.
(Gulliver's Travels into several remote nations of the world, by Jonathan Swift)
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