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Ossify: meaning, definitions and examples

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ossify

 

[ ˈɒsɪfaɪ ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

biological process

To ossify means to turn into bone or to become bony. This process is part of normal skeletal development and happens during the growth of an organism. Ossification can occur naturally as part of aging or it can be induced by certain circumstances, such as injury. In broader contexts, ossify can also refer to becoming rigid or inflexible in behavior or style, particularly in societal structures or ideas.

Synonyms

calcify, harden, solidify.

Examples of usage

  • The cartilage will ossify into bone as the child grows.
  • Their attitudes towards change had ossified over the years.
  • The scientist studied how certain diseases can cause bones to ossify abnormally.
Context #2 | Verb

figurative use

In a figurative sense, to ossify can mean to make something increasingly rigid or unchanging. When a system or method ossifies, it may become less adaptable and more resistant to new ideas, often leading to stagnation.

Synonyms

entrench, freeze, solidify.

Examples of usage

  • The bureaucratic process began to ossify, making it difficult to implement new strategies.
  • Their approach to teaching has ossified, losing touch with modern educational practices.

Translations

Translations of the word "ossify" in other languages:

🇵🇹 ossificar

🇮🇳 हड्डी बनाना

🇩🇪 verknöchern

🇮🇩 mengubah menjadi tulang

🇺🇦 осифікувати

🇵🇱 kostnieć

🇯🇵 骨化する

🇫🇷 ossifier

🇪🇸 osificar

🇹🇷 kemikleştirmek

🇰🇷 골화하다

🇸🇦 تحجر

🇨🇿 kostnatět

🇸🇰 kostnatie

🇨🇳 骨化

🇸🇮 kostniti

🇮🇸 beina

🇰🇿 сүйекке айналдыру

🇬🇪 კბილში გადაქცევა

🇦🇿 sümükləşmək

🇲🇽 osificar

Etymology

The term 'ossify' originates from the Latin word 'ossificare', which means 'to turn into bone'. The root 'os' translates to 'bone', with '-ficare' meaning 'to make' or 'to do'. This word was incorporated into the English language in the early 19th century, reflecting medical and biological contexts focused on skeletal development. Over time, the usage of 'ossify' expanded into metaphorical contexts, where it describes the process of becoming inflexible or rigid in ideas or practices, mirroring the physical process of bone formation.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #37,240, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.