Petrification: meaning, definitions and examples
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petrification
[ ˌpɛtrɪfɪˈkeɪʃən ]
process of turning organic matter into stone
Petrification is the process by which organic material is converted into stone through mineralization. This process can occur over millions of years, as the organic material gradually decays and is replaced by minerals such as silica or calcite.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- Over time, the petrification of wood can result in the formation of fossilized trees.
- The petrification of bones can preserve them for millions of years.
- The petrification of a plant can create a mineralized replica of its original form.
Translations
Translations of the word "petrification" in other languages:
🇵🇹 petrificação
🇮🇳 शिलारूपण
🇩🇪 Versteinerung
🇮🇩 pembatuan
🇺🇦 окаменіння
🇵🇱 skamieniałość
🇯🇵 石化 (sekka)
🇫🇷 pétrification
🇪🇸 petrificación
🇹🇷 taşlaşma
🇰🇷 석화 (seokhwa)
🇸🇦 تحجر (taḥajur)
🇨🇿 zkamenění
🇸🇰 skamenenie
🇨🇳 石化 (shíhuà)
🇸🇮 okamenitev
🇮🇸 steingerving
🇰🇿 тасқалаулану
🇬🇪 კამენება (kameneba)
🇦🇿 daşlaşma
🇲🇽 petrificación
Word origin
The term 'petrification' originates from the Latin word 'petra' meaning rock, and 'ficare' meaning to make. The process of petrification has fascinated scientists and geologists for centuries, providing valuable insights into the preservation of ancient organisms and the formation of mineral deposits. Petrified wood and other petrified remains have been important sources of information about prehistoric life and environments.
See also: petrified.