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Calcified: meaning, definitions and examples

๐Ÿฆด
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calcified

 

[หˆkรฆlsษ™หŒfaษชd ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Verb

medical

To harden by deposition of or conversion into calcium carbonate or some other insoluble calcium compounds.

Synonyms

harden, petrify, solidify.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
calcified

Use when referring to organic matter, such as tissues or biological structures, becoming hardened by the deposit of calcium salts over time, often in a medical or biological context.

  • The patient's arteries have calcified, increasing the risk of a heart attack.
  • The dinosaur bones were found calcified in the ancient sediments.
harden

Use when something becomes firm or solid. Can be used in many contexts like physical substances or metaphorically for emotions.

  • The cement will harden overnight.
  • Her heart hardened after years of disappointment.
solidify

Used when a substance changes from a liquid or soft state to a solid form. Also used metaphorically to mean making plans or ideas more definite.

  • The lava will solidify as it cools down.
  • We need to solidify our plans for the project next week.
petrify

Use when referring to organic matter turning into stone or making someone so frightened that they are unable to move. In geological contexts or used metaphorically.

  • The wood found in the ancient site had petrified.
  • The loud noise petrified the little boy.

Examples of usage

  • The doctor found a calcified mass in the patient's lung.
  • The arteries had become calcified over time, leading to circulation problems.
Context #2 | Verb

biology

To harden or solidify by impregnation with calcium salts.

Synonyms

harden, petrify, solidify.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
calcified

Best used when describing something that has turned into a hard, stony substance due to the accumulation of calcium salts. Often used in medical or biological contexts.

  • The calcified plaque blocked the artery.
  • The fossil was calcified over millions of years.
harden

Appropriate for describing the process of becoming more solid, firm, or resilient. Can be used in both literal and metaphorical contexts.

  • The molten lava began to harden once it hit the water.
  • The challenging experiences he went through hardened his character.
solidify

Used to describe the process of becoming solid or more defined. Can also be used metaphorically to indicate making plans or ideas more concrete.

  • The liquid metal began to solidify as it cooled.
  • They need to solidify their plans before going public with the project.
petrify

Most suitable for describing the process of becoming stone or very hard due to the replacement of organic material with minerals, or used metaphorically to mean to become paralyzed with fear.

  • Over millions of years, the wood had petrified into stone.
  • The sudden noise in the dark petrified her.

Examples of usage

  • The shells of some marine organisms are calcified structures.
  • The bones of vertebrates are often calcified to provide support and protection.
Context #3 | Adjective

geology

Having been turned into a stony mass or a mass of calcium carbonate.

Synonyms

petrified, solidified, stony.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
calcified

Describes something that has become hard due to the deposition of calcium salts, typically in a biological context.

  • The calcified remains of the ancient marine creature were found embedded in the rock
  • The patient's arteries were calcified, leading to restricted blood flow
stony

Describes something that is hard and rocky, or it can describe a person's emotional coldness.

  • The path was rough and stony, making it difficult to walk
  • His response was stony, showing no emotion whatsoever
petrified

Refers to organic material that has been turned to stone through a process of mineral replacement, or it can describe a state of extreme fear.

  • The petrified wood in the forest was millions of years old
  • She stood petrified with fear when the dog started barking loudly
solidified

Describes a substance that has transitioned from a liquid or gas to a solid state, often due to cooling or chemical reaction.

  • The melted chocolate solidified after being placed in the refrigerator
  • The team solidified their plan after several meetings

Examples of usage

  • The fossilized remains were found in a calcified layer of sediment.
  • The calcified rocks displayed intricate patterns of mineral deposits.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word originates from the Latin 'calx', meaning lime or calcium.
  • It has been used in English since the mid-19th century, relating primarily to biological processes.
  • In geology, calcified layers in rocks show how sedimentation has occurred over millions of years.

Biology

  • In human bodies, calcification can occur in tissues like arteries, which can lead to health issues.
  • Certain plants also undergo calcification, allowing them to thrive in mineral-rich soil.
  • The process is crucial in forming bones as they harden over time through calcium deposits.

Health

  • Calcification in arteries often leads to cardiovascular diseases, affecting how blood flows.
  • It can also be a sign of aging, as the body gradually loses its ability to maintain flexible and healthy tissues.
  • Medical imaging often uses calcified areas as markers to identify or diagnose various diseases.

Geology

  • Fossilization often involves calcification, allowing soft organisms to be preserved in rock.
  • Calcified formations like stalactites and stalagmites can be found in caves, formed by mineral-rich water drops.
  • Coral reefs can become calcified over time, forming extensive marine structures from calcium carbonate.

Pop Culture

  • Calcified materials are often referenced in literature as metaphors for rigid or unchangeable beliefs.
  • Some films depict characters who undergo emotional calcification, becoming emotionally distant over time.
  • The term is used in environmental discussions, especially regarding the impact of human activities on natural calcification processes.

Translations

Translations of the word "calcified" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น calcificado

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เค•เฅˆเคฒเฅเคธเฅ€เคซเคพเค‡เคก

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช verkalkt

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ terkalsifikasi

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะพะบะฐะผ'ัะฝั–ะปะธะน

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ zwapniony

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ็Ÿณ็ฐๅŒ–ใ—ใŸ (ใ›ใฃใ‹ใ„ใ‹ใ—ใŸ)

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท calcifiรฉ

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ calcificado

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท kalsifiye olmuลŸ

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ์„ํšŒํ™”๋œ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ู…ุชูƒู„ุณ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ zkostnatฤ›lรฝ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ zkostnatenรฝ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ้’™ๅŒ–็š„ (gร ihuร  de)

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ okosteneven

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ kalkaรฐur

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ำ™ะบะตะปะณะตะฝ

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒ’แƒแƒชแƒแƒคแƒ”แƒ‘แƒฃแƒšแƒ˜

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ kalsifikasiyalฤฑ

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ calcificado

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #21,974, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.